Poker run to benefit Elvins Food Pantry set for Labor Day weekend

Elvins Food Pantry in Park Hills, with help from the Missouri Foundation for Health, area Walmart stores and other local sponsors, is hosting the Hit the Highway for Hunger Poker Run on Sept. 3.

“This is such a great way to start your holiday weekend,” said Randy King, the pantry’s board president. “We will begin in the Desloge Walmart parking lot around 8 a.m. and the last vehicle will leave at approximately 10 a.m. so participants can have a nice ride that morning and still have the remainder of their weekend to do other things. The route consists of approximately 90 miles of beautiful country through St. Francois, Madison, Iron and Washington counties and should take about two hours to complete.” 

King also said the first 25 participants to register will receive a free biscuits and gravy breakfast from Hardees in Leadington to start their day.

The cost to participate in the poker run is $15 for the first hand and $10 for each additional hand. To register online or see a map of the route, visit elvinsfoodpantry.com or call King at 573-315-8205 with any questions. 

A rain date has been scheduled for the following Saturday, Sept 10.

All proceeds from the event will go to the food pantry, which helps feed approximately 360 families each month.

“It’s our hope to make this an annual event and something folks will look forward to each and every year,” said King. “You don’t have to have a bike to participate. We welcome all motorcycles, trikes, cars and trucks to come out and join us.”

The starting point for the run will be at the Desloge Walmart. Participants will draw a card from a standard deck, then ride to the next stop and draw a card and so on until they have drawn a total of five cards — one at each of the five locations along route.

Once the last person arrives at the final stop, the person with the winning hand will receive a $75 Visa gift card, a $25 Walmart card, a $25 gift card from the Park Hills Country Mart and a choice of either a $25 Leadbelt PowerSports card or a $25 gift card from Midwest Sports Center.

The second place winner will receive a $25 Visa card, a $25 Walmart card and either the card from Leadbelt PowerSports or Midwest Sports Center.

A 50/50 drawing will take place in the Desloge Walmart parking lot after all riders have returned.

Hit the Highway for Hunger Poker Run T-shirts will also be available for purchase.

“All of our sponsors for the run have been just great and I’d like to thank all of them,” said King. “Walmart has just been awesome to us, with this and our Hunger in the Bag program, which they sponsor every year with us. They’re really good to us. And so is Hardees in Leadington, Country Mart in Park Hills and the two sports centers.”

The Elvins Food Pantry’s normal hours of operation are Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

There are many ways to donate to the pantry.

?To make a donation using a credit or debit card, visit the pantry website at www.elvinsfoodpantry.com and click on the “Donate” feature on the upper right side of the page.

To donate by mail, send a check or money order to Elvins Food Pantry, P.O. Box 282, Park Hills, MO 63601.

To drop off food items, stop by the pantry on a Monday or Friday between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The pantry is located at 17 W. Main St., across the street from Domino’s Pizza.

To arrange for a volunteer to pick up a donation, call 573-518-1266 or 573-315-8205 to schedule a convenient time.

Another option is to purchase a donation at a participating store and a pantry volunteer will gladly pick it up. Participating stores include Country Mart and Save-A-Lot in Park Hills, Mike’s Market in Bismarck and Walmart in Desloge and Farmington.

Amy Patterson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3616 or apatterson@dailyjournalonline.com.