This Is Iowa: Johnston's mayor runs 2,383 miles in one year to help feed her community
Paula Dierenfeld knows the drill. She grabs her running shoes, puts her hair up into a ponytail, and adds a layer. She's gearing up for the biggest mile of her life.
"We're finishing up the Mayor's Run for Food 2024," Dierenfeld said, reflecting on the miles she's run as of Nov. 15. "We've gotten to 2,382. We're going to finish 2,383 today, and then we're done."
Since Jan. 1, Paula has been running 6 to 8 miles every day.
"It is a mental thing," Dierenfeld said.
An endurance test we've followed all year.
Why would anyone want to run more than 2,000 miles?
To an elected official with a different kind of campaign promise.
"For every $10 or bag of groceries that are contributed to the Johnston food pantry in December, I will run one mile beginning New Year's Eve day," Dierenfeld said.
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She admits when she first proposed the idea, she didn't know how well it would work, but year after year, it's popularity grew.
"It's been incredible the response that we've had in this community," Dierenfeld said. "The first year was 31 bags, you know, very small response. The next year, we were over 100. The next year, it was over 200."
The community kept stepping up, raising more than $78,000 over the years.
"It's not uncommon during our busy times of the month, beginning and end of the month, that we can have 40 families in line before we open the door in the morning," Johnston Partnership Director Andrea Cook said.
Families can get a three-day supply of food once a month from the food pantry.
Ten years ago, the Johnston food pantry was serving 343 people a month.
"This month (November) isn't quite done yet, and we have already created 2,700 individuals," Cook said.
Ginger Reubin has lived in Johnston for 20 years.
"It kind of gets difficult when you're only on one paycheck," Reubin said.
She was a hairdresser in town until an unexpected illness stopped her from working soon after, she found herself low on food and essentials.
"I just love the fact that when I found out about this place," Reubin said.
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Reubin also helps take care of her elderly mom. So, she thoughtfully goes through the shelves at the food pantry each week.
"Those last weeks of the month, it's just really, you know, you struggle. And you have to, you know, you have to get by somehow and that, you know, people know that, and they bring their donations to help other people. It's it's just a community coming together. and I like that."
It's stories like Ginger's that keep Mayor Paula moving, even through her hardships.
"I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation during COVID," Dierenfeld said. "And, you know, I'm on some medication that makes it harder for me to run. But I, you know, I just have to accept that, you know, the first mile is always the hardest."
But it's not enough to stop Paula. She turned 70 this year and has led Johnston through some big growth. All while quietly behind the scenes, she kept running. She runs before meetings, after meetings, and even twice a day. All to get it done.
"I run so much that I wear out my shoes and always have an extra pair with me," Dierenfeld said.
From snow and bitter cold of February to blue skies and blooms in June. She even took her miles on the road this summer for a half marathon in Nashville.
"I'll tell you what, if you run a marathon, you'll never feel closer to God. You're calling his name every step of the way," Dierenfeld said with a laugh.
By the fall of 2024, she found herself in the final stretch of her year-long run. We were with her for her last mile on a crisp, sunshine-filled morning in the middle of November.
There was only one spot that felt worthy, the perfect place to end, back to where it all started. The Johnston food pantry.
"It feels great!" Dierenfeld said moments had finished her last mile.
Two thousand three hundred eighty-three miles done. When she finished her giant year-long commitment, there were no crowds or medals. Just the satisfaction her pledge has been filled once again.
"We can meet any challenge if we just set our set our mind and our hearts to it," Dierenfeld said.
She says she's going to take a break, but if you know Mayor Paula. You know she's already looking forward to another challenge.
"Next year we want we want to do 2,500 miles. So I'm counting on the community to pitch in and make that our goal for next year," Dierenfeld said.
Because the need doesn't stop, and neither does Johnston's mayor.