MBA student Mandy Shoopman organizes tornado relief race

Wright State University MBA student Mandy Shoopman organized a 5K/10K run/walk to support The Foodbank and local residents impacted by the Memorial Day tornadoes.

A road race organized by Wright State University MBA student Mandy Shoopman raised more than $10,500 for the Dayton Foodbank.

Nearly 290 people registered for the Dayton Tornado Relief 5K/10K Run/Walk Benefiting the Foodbank, which took place Sept. 15 beginning at Island MetroPark in Dayton.

Shoopman was inspired to organize the event to help local residents impacted by the Memorial Day tornadoes. “I find road races to be extremely fun, and it just makes it even better when I know the race is supporting a cause that hits so close to home,” she said.

Thanks to support from the event’s 17 sponsors, participants were able to run or walk for free, though they were encouraged to donate food or money to the Foodbank.

Shoopman decided to make The Foodbank the beneficiary of her event because of the organization’s impact throughout the community.

“Hunger relief is so important in our community, and The Foodbank strives to make sure everybody they serve is fed healthy and nutritious meals, which I believe is essential,” she said.

Shoopman, who received her bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Wright State in 2018, works at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. She started running about five years ago, training at least five days a week and participating in about 10 road races a year.