Frankfort Square Mom 'Will Run for Food'

Pam Erickson is "just that competitive," she chuckled. She once ran a 50-mile trail race in Michigan, when the man next to her mentioned that beforehand he had solicited food items from supporters, as donations to a local food pantry. He had collected 3,000 food items, he told Erickson.

"I thought, 'I want to raise 3,001.' Just one more than him," she said, laughing.

Her overall goal might be driven by her competitive spirit, but her motivation stemmed from a homily at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Frankfort.

"Our visiting pastor talked about the need to feed starving children," Erickson said. "We need to help in our own backyard."

The  mom and Frankfort Square resident stepped up and decided to step out in support of Together We Cope. She vowed to run 50 miles in an effort to raise food for needy families in southern Cook County.

The avid runner was looking for another 50-mile run, but registration costs were adding up. She would rather give that money to Together We Cope, she said—along with those 3,001 non-perishable food items.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, Erickson will rise bright and early and head to Darien's  in support of Together We Cope, and to fulfill her end of the deal with each person who donates a food item. It is not an official run—there's no registration and she won't have any competitors.

She'll be running for no one—and against no one—other than herself.

She'll have to run just more than 2 miles on a frontage road, then several laps around the path in order to reach the 50-mile count. She will donate what would have been registration fees for an official run, and instead purchase goods for the social services agency.

To date, Erickson has received 734 cans of food. She's tracking her progress on her blog, Kickstand Pam.

She will write each donor's name on her T-shirt, taking them with her as she goes. Anyone who wishes to run with her is welcome, but it is not an official run. It is informal, she noted. 

"I don't need another T-shirt that says, 'I ran 50 miles,' " she said. "I don't need another medal."

Husband Scott Erickson is in on the challenge, as well. Scott, coach of  Light Weight A’s team, has upped the ante for his players and their families. Each player or cheerleader can bring in five non-perishable, non-expired food items, and receive a “Get Out of Sprints/Coaches Designated Activity” pass good for one practice. Over the next three weeks, five non-perishable food items donated earns each player a pass.

The person who brings in the most food by Oct. 14 will win "Coach for a Day" of the Light Weight A’s when the Raiders play New Lenox on Oct. 15. The winner will be on the field during the coin toss and will then call an offensive series. Any one is eligible to win this prize—moms, dads, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, anyone—they just have to bring in the most food. The winner of the contest will be posted on the Raiders Facebook page, and Kickstand Pam blog.

"The more people are involved, the more chances she has to reach her goal," Scott said. "I back her up 100 percent."

The younger members of the Erickson family are also involved. Eight-year-old twins Zack and Grace help Pam sort the donations.

"It's been a good experience for my whole family," Pam Erickson said. "The dry goods are starting to take over my kitchen!"

Scott Erickson couldn't be happier with Pam's goal and passion. 

"It's good for our kids," Scott said. "It teaches them to give back to the community, not just take, take, take.

"Give some back, too."

How to Give

• Call Pam Erickson at 815-212-3210.
• Drop your donations off at Together We Cope. Tell them you're donating to "Will Run for Food"—this will help them keep a tally of donations.
• OF Raiders families can bring donations to practice and give them to Coach Erickson  from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday.