SMAC hosts their annual Turkey Trot
Photo courtesy of Managing Editor Regan Russell
The sisters of SMAC held their annual Turkey Trot on Nov. 9 where they raised donations for the Geneseo Groveland pantry.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 Sisters Making a Change (SMAC) hosted their annual Turkey Trot 5K on the SUNY Geneseo campus. SMAC is a social service sorority at Geneseo which volunteers with and raises funds for many different local businesses and organizations. Donations received through the event went directly to the Geneseo Groveland Emergency Food Pantry. Registration for the event cost participants $5 or a donation of two non-perishable pantry items.
Before the event took place, registration was available online or in-person, as SMAC members hosted a table in the MacVittie College Union in the two weeks leading up to the event. This allowed students to pre-register for the event, and also provided an opportunity for the sisters of SMAC to spread awareness about the event and accept additional donations.
The Geneseo Groveland pantry is a resource for all residents within the Geneseo central school district, provided they have proof of residency for their first visit and qualify for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). There are a variety of ways people can qualify for this program, with one being if their household receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many residents in New York, including residents of Geneseo, have not received their full SNAP benefits and will not be receiving them for the month of November due to the ongoing government shutdown.
For those seeking extra assistance but who do not qualify for a government assistance program, there are local options available near Geneseo. One option is the Dansville Food Pantry which is run by the Dansville Foursquare Church. They are open on Wednesdays starting at 10 a.m. Community members are able to use their free services twice a month, but the pantry asks that community members only take what they essentially need in order to leave supplies behind for others.
Citizens seeking assistance because of their lowered benefits, or for any other reason, are often also advised to call local organizations and see what resources are available within their community. Many religious organizations will be able to direct residents to free resources within their own organization or help find another local option.
The annual Turkey Trot event is always of high importance, but with the unfortunate timing of SNAP benefits being cut shortly before the holiday season, this year's event was even more impactful. SMAC was able to raise over 100 dollars in donations and registration fees, as well as collect many different non-perishable items to be directly donated.
The weather for the event was not ideal, including rain and hail, causing the event to have a smaller turnout than anticipated. But in spite of the bad weather, members of the Geneseo running club, Men of Action and Change (MAC), and community members of the Geneseo area all came out to participate.
SMAC hosts two large service events throughout the academic year. One of these events being the Turkey Trot, and the second being the Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk, which will be held on campus and directly donates proceeds to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
For those looking to donate food or make monetary donations to a local foodbank, but who may have missed this event, there are still opportunities available. Peace Action Geneseo is hosting a food drive in collaboration with the Young Democratic Socialists at Geneseo and Geneseo Volunteerism and Community Engagement on Saturday, Nov. 15 located near Veteran Park Main Street. The Multicultural Center on campus is also accepting food donations during the entire month of November.