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This Is Iowa: Johnston's mayor runs 2,383 miles in one year to help feed her community

This Is Iowa: Johnston's mayor runs 2,383 miles in one year to help feed her community
Nearly a year's worth of consistency. All comes down to this. The quiet calm of a morning at home... Paula Dierenfeld, knows the drill. She grabs her running shoes... Puts her hair up into a poneytail And adds a layer... Gearing up for the biggest mile of her life. 10:08:45 - 10:09:11 PAULA SOT: "WE'RE FINISHING UP THE MAYOR'S RUN FOR FOOD 2024. WE'VE GOTTEN TO 2,382. WE'RE GOING TO FINISH 2,383 TODAY, AND THEN WE'RE DONE." Since January 1st, Paula has been running 6 to 8 miles - EVERY - DAY. 1:51:58 - running 6 to 8 miles - EVERY - DAY. 1:51:58 - (FALL) PAULA: "IT REALLY IS A MENTAL THING. An endurance test we've followed all year. 1:51:58 - (CONTINUED FROM ABOVE) "I KNOW WHAT THE BIG GOAL IS, AND I BREAK IT DOWN INTO SMALLER GOALS." Why would anyone want to run more than 2,000 miles? Go back 10 years. And a few hair styles. To an elected official, with a different kind of campaign promise. 13:16:47 - 13:16:56 (WINTER) PAULA: "FOR EVERY $10 OR BAG OF GROCERIES THAT ARE CONTRIBUTED TO THE JOHNSON FOOD PANTRY IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, I WILL RUN ONE MILE BEGINNING NEW YEAR'S EVE DAY." Now, she admits... 13:16:57 - 13:17:18:08 (WINTER) PAULA: WHEN I FIRST PROPOSED THAT IDEA, I THOUGHT, THIS IS A SILLY LITTLE IDEA, BUT LET'S SEE IF IT WORKS. And boy did it. The Mayor's Run for Food took off... 13:16:57 - 13:17:18:08 (WINTER) PAULA: THE FIRST YEAR WAS 31 BAGS, YOU KNOW, VERY SMALL RESPONSE. THE NEXT YEAR WE WERE OVER 100. THE NEXT YEAR IT WAS OVER, YOU KNOW, 200." The community kept stepping up. Raising more than $78,000... At a time the need increased too. Most noticeably... the last two years. - 10;04;38;24 COOK: "AND 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 (Ann-dray- uh) Cook says the last few months of the year are typically the most difficult for families. 10;05;34;01 - 10;05;54;14 COOK: "WHEN KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL, MONEY IS FLYING OUT THE DOOR. YOU'RE WRITING CHECKS FOR EVERYTHING. CHRISTMAS TIME, GIFT GIVING, ALL THAT SORT OF THING. SO IT'S WHEN PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES REALLY STRAPPED." Each week, food comes in by the truck load. 9,000 lbs a food a month... became 9,000 lbs a week. 10:21:30 GINGER: "IT KINDA GETS DIFFICULT WHEN YOU'RE ONLY ON ONE PAYCHECK." Ginger Reubin has lived in Johnston for 20 years. She was a hairdresser - until an unexpected illness stopped her from working. Low on food and essentials... She searched for help. 10;27;59;25 - 10;28;25;22 GINGER: "I JUST LOVE THE FACT THAT WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS PLACE. THAT THIS WAS ONE THING I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT." Ginger also helps take care of her elderly mom. So she thoughtfully goes through the shelves. Grabbing food with intention. (mom would like this NATS) Filling her cart... Appreciative of where the food came from. 10;27;59;25 - 10;28;25;22 CONT'D: "THEY BRING THEIR DONATIONS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE. IT'S IT'S JUST A COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER. AND I REALLY LIKE THAT." It's stories like Ginger's that keep Mayor Paula moving. Even through her own hardships. 01;53;01;20 - 01;53;20;21 (FALL) PAULA: "I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, DURING, DURING COVID. AND, YOU KNOW, I'M ON SOME MEDICATION THAT THAT MAKES IT HARDER FOR ME, FOR, FOR ME TO RUN." But it's not enough to stop Paula. She turned 70 this year and has lead Johnston through some big growth. All while quietly behind the scenes... She's kept running. Running before meetings. After meetings Even twice a day. All to get it done. 808ó0148 1;59:13 - 1:59:18 NATS: CAR DOOR OPENS (FALL) PAULA: "I RUN SO MUCH, THAT I WEAR OUT MY SHOES AND ALWAYS HAVE AN EXTRA PAIR WITH ME." From snow and bitter cold of February. 13:13:58:15 - 13:14:22 Alyx: "How many miles are you at as of today?" Paula: "I'm at 416." Alyx: "How does that feel?" Paula: "Well, I'm a little stiff (laughs)." To blue skies and blooms in June. 13;19;29;09 - 13;19;33;12 (SPRING) PAULA: "ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL OUT HERE? I MEAN, THAT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS IN JOHNSTON, IOWA." 13;20;27;15 - 13;20;42;22 (SPRING) PAULA: "THIS IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO RUN. She even took her miles on the road this summer for 13.1 in Nashville... 13:20:20 - 13:20:28 WINTER PAULA: "AND 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." NATS By fall - she found herself in the final stretch - up against the golden rows of corn at harvest time. Until her last crisp, sunshine filled morning in the middle of November. Taking off from Terra Park... One - more - mile. NATS The perfect place to end - back to where it all started. The Johnston food pantry. HIDY0085 0:00 - 00:10 ALYX: "YOU DID IT. HOW DOES IT FEEL?" PAULA: "IT FEELS. IT FEELS GREAT. IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE IT ALL DONE." 2,383 miles. No crowds or medals. Just the satisfaction her pledge has been filled once again. 01:53:27 - 01:53:32 (FALL) PAULA: "WE CAN MEET ANY CHALLENGE IF WE JUST SET OUR SET OUR OUR MIND AND OUR HEARTS TO IT." Because the need doesn't stop. And neither does Johnston's mayor
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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.» MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on FacebookShe 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.» More from the Dec. 20, 2024, episode of This Is Iowa: This Is Iowa: Hospice patient spreads joy by 'ducking' Jeep owners on special ride This is Iowa: Winnie the service dog is a star in the UNI marching bandThis Is Iowa: Formerly homeless wrestler now achieving greatness, inspiring othersReubin 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.Full This Is Iowa episode from Dec. 20, 2024

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."

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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.

» MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on

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.

» More from the Dec. 20, 2024, episode of This Is Iowa:

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.

Full This Is Iowa episode from Dec. 20, 2024