2024 Northland Food Allergy 5K run/walk

In recognition of National Food Allergy Awareness Month, the ALEIA Project hosted the Northland 5K run/walk for Food Allergy on May 24, 2024, at Leif Erikson Park in Duluth, Minnesota. The event featured a chip-timed 5K on the Lakewalk, a free kids’ fun run, activities, prizes, and allergy-aware product showcases. Proceeds will support food allergy awareness in local schools by providing resources and education, and fostering advocacy groups.

Emily Homan, President and Co-Founder of ALEIA Project, emphasized the mission to create awareness and educational resources for the Northland food allergy community, noting that all funds raised remain local. The organization was founded by three mothers with extensive experience navigating food allergies, collectively avoiding over 10 foods among their children. The name “ALEIA” reflects the initials of their five children and embodies the organization’s core values: Advocacy, Lifestyle, Empowerment, Inclusion, and Awareness.

Allergy Aware Classroom Kits Ready for Start of School

One of ALEIA Project’s initiatives is to support teachers and help keep schools safer, one classroom at a time. The Allergy Aware Classroom Kit will be used by the Hermantown Elementary School. ALEIA Project provided 40 classroom binders, 30 safe snack boxes as well as The Land of Can – Stay Healthy book series that will reside in the school library. The binder includes: information about what a food allergy is, how to respond, example letters to for teachers to edit and promote non-food treats all year long, a list of non-food rewards, special event check lists, a list of activities that could potentially contain allergens, classroom resources such as posters, information on how to prevent cross contact and the impact a food allergy can have on mental health. We look forward to the feedback from the staff and can’t wait to launch this at other local schools!

2023 Northland Food Allergy 5K walk/run

In honor of National Food Allergy Awareness Month, ALEIA Project hosted the Northland 5K run/walk for Food Allergy on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at the Leif Erikson Park in Duluth, Minnesota. The event included a chip timed 5K on the Lakewalk, free kid fun run and activities, prizes and giveaways, allergy aware business products and information, and a visit from the Duluth Firefighter and EMT staff. Proceeds raised support food allergy awareness for local schools through the development of the Allergy Aware Classroom Kit, educating staff and students, and building advocacy support groups.

“ALEIA Project’s mission is to create awareness and educational resources for the local Northland food allergy community”, states Emily Homan, President and Co-Founder of ALEIA Project. “With the creation of this non-profit, all funds raised stay local. The purpose of this 5K run/walk is to bring people together, create awareness, make connections and gather input for what our community needs to better serve those that manage food allergy.”

Navigating Food Allergy and Special Diets Community Education Class

In April and May 2023, ALEIA Project co-founders held 3 Community Education Classes in Hermantown/Proctor, Duluth and the Whole Foods Co-op. We explained what a food allergy is, what top-9 allergens are, the importance of reading every label every time, tips on how to manage daily life, what the signs of a reaction are and how to respond. Thankful for the opportunity to provide awareness and education to our community. We look forward to hosting more classes in the future.

Give to the Max

ALEIA Project is participating in the 13th annual Give to the Max giving event taking place this year starting on Monday, Nov. 1 and culminating on Thursday, Nov. 18. Give to the Max is a statewide giving event that raises millions each year for more than 6,000 causes across Minnesota and beyond. Considered Minnesota’s holiday for generosity, donors have given more than $225 million since the inaugural Give to the Max Day in 2009.

Please consider supporting ALEIA Project! Our primary initiatives include: food allergy educational programs, classroom resources for the PreK-12 schools and support groups for individuals of all ages.

DONATE HERE: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Aleia-Project

Keep Halloween Safe and Not Scary for Food Allergy

ALEIA Project had a great time at the Peace in Christ Trunk or Treat in Hermantown, Minnesota passing out a lot of non-food trinkets! Halloween can be a hard social holiday for those with food allergy.

Here are some tips for staying safe on Halloween:

  1. Read the Label Every Time. Avoid treats that don’t have an ingredient label – even if it’s a familiar treat.
  2. Always carry TWO (2) Epinehphrine Auto-Injectors.
  3. Eat treats AFTER trick-or-treating
  4. Focus on fun, not treats
  5. Sort candy with the kids and look at labels
  6. Consider swapping unsafe candy or treats with safe treats
  7. Start a new tradition with the “Switch Witch” – leave treats for the witch at bedtime and swap them with safe treats or toys
  8. Look for homes in your community that are on the safe treat list at www.tealpumpkinproject.org. Add your home to the list!

Ideas for fun, safe Halloween trinkets:

  1. Fun holiday pencils, erasers, stickers, tatoos, mini notebooks
  2. Mini toys such as skateboards, super hero figures, dolls
  3. Collector cards
  4. Bracelets, headbands, glow necklaces, glow sticks, glow rings

Community Outreach and Education at Festival by the Lake

ALEIA Project exhibited at the Festival by the Lake event on July 23 at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Minnesota. It was humbling to meet so many individuals, families, adults, children, and friends of friends that are living with food allergy. So many stories were shared. It was a great day to connect. Several people completed our local grocery needs survey; while others participated a general community needs survey for those with food allergy. We can’t wait to connect with you at the next community event!

2022 Northland Walk for Food Allergy a Success – THANK YOU!

This year, a volunteer based non-profit 501c3 organization located in Duluth, Minnesota called, ALEIA Project, hosted the Northland Walk for Food Allergy. The event is ALEIA Project’s primary fundraising event and we are excited to share that the walk event raised $7,100. Despite the cold, rainy weather the event was a success. The food allergy community came together for the 1.3 mile fun walk and a visit from the Duluth FireFighters and EMT staff.

“ALEIA Project’s mission is to create awareness and educational resources for the LOCAL Northland food allergy community”, states Emily Homan, President and Co-Founder of ALEIA Project. “With the creation of this non-profit, all funds raised locally can stay local. The purpose of this annual walk is to bring people together, create awareness, make connections and gather input for what our community may need to better serve those that manage food allergy.”

ALEIA Project was inspired by the experiences of 3 moms, who live in the Duluth and surrounding community, that currently live a food allergy lifestyle. Combined, the founders of ALEIA Project have 30+ years of food allergy navigation experience and collectively avoid 10+ foods between 5 of their 8 kids. In fact, the name ALEIA was inspired by the 5 kids, using the first initial of each child’s name. It also refers to the mission of the organization: Allergy, Lifestyle, Educate, Inclusion, Awareness.

The funds raised will remain in and directly impact our local community. The primary focus for ALEIA Project in the coming year is to focus on Student Education of Food Allergy and Parent Advocacy in navigating food allergies in school.

View Sponsors and additional walk info at: www.aleiaproject.org/northlandwalkforfoodallergy