Mayor Michael Kwasman to Compete
in the "Race Against Hunger"

West Chicago, Illinois: February 5, 2008 – West Chicago Mayor Michael B. Kwasman plans to 'score big' in the grocery aisle this week. Laying down an "Official Challenge" to Winfield Village President Rudy F. Czech, the two city leaders will join the "Race Against Hunger" when they participate in the DuPage County Farm Bureau's eleventh annual observance of National Food Check-Out Day on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Jewel/Osco Store located at 177 East Roosevelt Road.  

The shopping cart race challenges contestants to load their carts with designated food products which are donated to the food pantry of their choice. Northwest DuPage Walk-in Ministries, located at 163 Garden Street, West Chicago; and the Milton Township Food Pantry, located at 1492 N. Main Street, Wheaton have been designated to benefit.  

Mayor Kwasman received the invitation to participate earlier this year from the Farm Bureau's Women's Committee. He wasted no time in issuing the friendly challenge to Village President Czech. Both men will have ten minutes to load their carts with as many food items containing corn, soybeans or wheat (Illinois' three major crops). The contestant who gathers the most total items will be declared the "winner."  

While some restrictions apply, all of the groceries collected will be paid for and donated by the DuPage County Farm Bureau and to equalize the donations to the food pantries, the difference in the value of the food collected by each city leader will be donated in cash to the food pantry of the defeated contestant in an effort to ensure each pantry receives an equal total donation. According to Michael H. Ashby, General Manager for the DuPage County Farm Bureau, "We want this event to be a 'win-win' promotion."  

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