In the chill autumn air, students and community members braced themselves against the cold to fight hunger Tuesday.

The students and community members participated in the Freeze Out Hunger 3K at 4 p.m. near the Campus Pond.

Freeze Out Hunger 3K was hosted by the Student Volunteer Center as part of the month-long EIU Hunger Challenge, which helped raise funds, materials and awareness of hunger.

In temperatures barely above freezing, participants in the 3K could either walk or run the length of the Panther Trail.

Registration was $10, and all funds went to support the Charleston Food Pantry.

Rachel Fisher, the director of the Student Volunteer Center, explained that for each dollar raised, the food pantry can provide $10 worth of food to community families in need.

This year was the second year for the 3K after the Student Volunteer Center first hosted the event in 2011.

After nearly seven participants registered last year, the center decided to host the program again.

Fisher said 15 participants registered for Tuesday’s run and she hopes the volunteer center hosts the run next year with greater success.

“If we can keep doubling every year, that’s some math I can really enjoy,” she said.

Marko Grunhagen, a business professor, walked the 3K while bundled in a large brown coat and deep-blue knitted cap.

His face red from the cold, Grunhagen said he was glad to see students helping people in need as winter approaches.

“I am glad so many students showed up to support this,” he said. “We are doing something good for people in need.”

As he approached the finish line next to the Campus Pavilion, he was welcomed by a group of eight young children cheering him on.

The children were part of Teen REACH, a local after-school program for at-risk Charleston High School students.

Brianna Wojnowski, a junior psychology major, volunteers as a counselor at Teen REACH and walked and ran alongside the children.

She said the 3K was a good way to get the children involved in the community.

“It was nice to get them out and cheering people on who are participating,” she said. “It shows how good it is to get involved in the community.”

Fisher crowded into the group of children and joined their cheers. As her breath rose in a cloud of vapor, she yelled, “Looking good! Finish strong!”

The presence of the Teen REACH children was a great and welcome addition to the 3K, Fisher said.

As the last students crossed the finish line, the evening sun sunk quickly among the streaks of clouds on the horizon.

The final pink and yellow rays glinted off the Campus Pond as Fisher reflected on the purpose of the event and her hopes for the efforts of the Student Volunteer Center.

“It’s a very, very good day, and it’s a very good addition to the history of what we are trying to do here,” she said.

Tim Deters can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].