City Harvest volunteer running New York City Marathon after once standing in food line

Watch the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon on Sunday starting with the pre-show at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 7

ByLiz Cho

Friday, October 31, 2025

City Harvest volunteer running TCS New York City Marathon after once standing in food line

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A woman from Queens who used to stand in line for food donations is now a dedicated volunteer raising tens of thousands of dollars to help feed others.

Now Ceil Witherspoon is about to run her fifth New York City Marathon on Sunday, and she says she is fueled by her own experience with hunger.

A healthy mix of grit and gratitude helped Witherspoon step out of the food line and into the role of valued volunteer for City Harvest.

She helps keep food donations flowing at City Harvest's mobile market near her home in Queens.

This year City Harvest expects to rescue 86 million pounds of high-quality food donated by grocery stores, restaurants and wholesalers that would otherwise be tossed out.

The food is then delivered to 400 food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs.

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This year, Witherspoon is among 100 people running the TCS NYC Marathon with "Team City Harvest" to raise critical funds for the nonprofit.

While each runner was tasked with raising $3,500, Witherspoon raised over $25,000.

Witherspoon, who battles asthma, fully acknowledges that her fundraising skills are superior to her running abilities.

But whether walking or running, she gets it done with help from her City Harvest supporters.

She has already completed four New York City Marathons -- each time crossing the finish line well after dark.

She said her goal this year is to finish in nine hours.

The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 2. Coverage on Channel 7 and wherever you stream ABC 7 New York begins with pre-race coverage, Marathon Sunday, at 7:00 a.m. on November 2. Live coverage of Sunday's marathon begins at 8:00 a.m. only on Channel 7 and ESPN2.