Record numbers turnout for the Thanksgiving annual Martha’s Village & Kitchen 5K

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - Thousands of runners, walkers, and families laced up their shoes early Thanksgiving morning, all for a good cause.

The annual Martha’s Village & Kitchen 5K is a holiday staple that has been in the valley for nearly two decades.

The high-energy event has record numbers this year, drawing more than 3,000 participants.

Each step taken helps raise vital funds to support individuals and families facing homelessness, food insecurity, and financial hardship across the Coachella Valley.

The Thanksgiving season makes the event even more impactful. Funds raised today help provide thousands of holiday meals and support year-round programs that offer stability, housing assistance, and job training to those in need.

For those who couldn’t attend the 5K, organizers say there are still many ways to contribute—through donations, volunteering, or supporting Martha’s Village & Kitchen’s ongoing programs.