CAROL STREAM, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Robert Swiderski is running a marathon a day for 10 days straight.
“Good morning, marathon fans and Facebook family! It’s an exciting day, marathon number nine of ten,” Swiderski said in a Facebook Live video Saturday.
The Carol Stream resident is a board member for the Basket Brigade of Suburban Chicago, which provides a basket containing a complete Thanksgiving dinner to struggling families.
“We’re doing what’s called a Run for Hope and specifically, I’m running one marathon per day for 10 days in a row to further this cause to care for our neighbors in need," Swiderski said.
The goal is to provide 2,000 Thanksgiving meals to families in need across the northwest suburbs.
To raise awareness, Swiderski is running throughout the communities they serve including Bartlett, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Elgin, South Elgin, Schaumburg, Palatine, Elk Grove Village and Hoffman Estates.
“We have some really great partners with the salvation army and the northern Illinois food bank. They're able to get our food cost down to just $16 per family. That is a complete thanksgiving day meal for just $16, that’s incredible,” he said.
In an emotional Facebook Live video, Swiderski shared with viewers that he wants to give back because he previously struggled with food insecurity.
“I was a recipient of somebody helping me out years ago and made a huge difference in my life and I wanted to be able to do the same for others," he said.
So far, Basket Brigade for Suburban Chicago has raised more than $4,600.
He has one more marathon to go but there are 38 days left to donate to the cause.