Sister Stephanie Baliga once dreamed of becoming an elite athlete. Today, the former Division I runner is using that same passion for running to help feed families and senior citizens in her Chicago community.For the past 15 years, Baliga has taken part in the Chicago Marathon as part of the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels (MOLA) charity team. According to MOLA, the marathon team has raised more than $2.6 million between 2011 and 2025, helping support the organisation’s food pantry and community services.This fall, Baliga and nearly 200 members of Team OLA are expected to return for the 16th consecutive Chicago Marathon, with a fundraising goal of $500,000.
Sister Stephanie’s journey from running to religious life
Sister Stephanie Baliga has raised over $2.6 million through the Chicago Marathon. (Photo: WTTW)
Baliga began running when she was nine years old, and the sport quickly became central to her identity.“I started running when I was 9, and running became my life,” she told WTTW. “It was how I defined myself and who I was.”As a student-athlete at the University of Illinois, Baliga was the sixth-fastest freshman runner in the nation. She trained for hours each day and was preparing for a potential professional career.At the time, even a marathon time of 2 hours and 53 minutes, fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon, did not feel good enough to her.“The challenge of being an elite athlete is that you’re never satisfied with anything you’re doing,” she said.Her path changed when she fractured her foot during her sophomore year. Forced to spend less time running, she turned toward prayer and eventually realised she wanted to devote her life to God.“Jesus saw me for who I was. He was not looking for my straight A’s or my fast running times; he was just seeking to love me wherever I was at,” Baliga said.
Her running now helps feed hundreds of families
Every mile matters: Sister Stephanie Baliga continues running to support a Chicago food pantry. (Photo: Mission of Our Lady of Angels)
Baliga eventually found a way to combine her faith with her lifelong passion for running.Through the MOLA marathon team, she has spent the past 15 years raising money for the organisation’s food pantry, which serves hundreds of families every week.“We serve about 400 to 500 families in person every Tuesday and we send about 300 deliveries to senior citizens between Monday and Tuesday each week,” Baliga said. “It totally changed the way I live my life.”Father Bob Lombardo, who opened MOLA, said the organisation serves people regardless of their faith.“As we like to say, we do what we do because we’re Catholic, not because the people we serve are Catholic,” he told WTTW.
Marathon fundraising helped sustain the pantry
The charity’s marathon efforts have had a significant impact on the food pantry, particularly during a period when demand increased sharply.“The marathon funding was key to expanding the pantry in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and was very key to us sustaining an extremely large pantry during the pandemic,” Baliga said.The team raised about $20,000 during its first marathon. Over the years, that total grew to more than $2.6 million.Reflecting on the amount raised, Baliga said, “It was insane. You’re like, ‘Woah, look at all those zeros! That’s a lot of zeros.’ The Lord provides.”
Team OLA prepares for another Chicago Marathon
Sister Stephanie Baliga’s marathon journey has helped raise millions for families in need. (Photo: Mission of Our Lady of Angels)
Baliga and nearly 200 Team OLA runners are preparing to run the Chicago Marathon for the 16th consecutive year.The team has set a goal of raising $500,000 this year. Baliga and the team also took part in a half marathon on June 10 as part of their preparations, raising around $16,000.The full marathon team had raised more than $184,000 toward this year’s goal, according to the information provided by MOLA.Supporters have also embraced the team’s mission. Other nuns and supporters have turned out with signs including “You vati-CAN do it” and “May God have mercy on your soles,” along with a cardboard cutout of Pope Leo.
‘The Lord provides’
MOLA describes Team OLA’s mission as raising awareness and funds for the organisation while offering the time, energy and physical discomfort involved in marathon training in support of the people it serves.For Baliga, the meaning of running has changed dramatically.What once represented a pursuit of faster times and athletic perfection is now a way to help put food on the tables of families and senior citizens.“You’re like, ‘Woah, look at all those zeros! That’s a lot of zeros,’” she said of the team’s fundraising achievement.“The Lord provides,” Baliga added. “God’s will is whatever is in front of you right now.”
