(CNN) -- When people want to give back to their community, they typically pull out their checkbooks. 

Jayson Black decided to pull out his running shoes. 

The 28-year-old IT consultant pledged to run 26.2 miles a day for 26 days -- a total of 681.2 miles -- to raise money and awareness for the Three Square Food Bank of Southern Nevada. 

"My hopes are that people will see and hear about this epic mission and open their eyes a little bit," Black said on day eight of his challenge. "Las Vegas isn't all about the sparkling lights and big hotels and casinos. In the shadows and down the alleys that surround the Strip, people are hungry." 

The mission 

Black first came to CNN's attention through longtime iReporter Chris Morrow, who was in Las Vegas and read about his campaign. 

Black spent Thanksgiving Day on the street. 

He woke up, went to church and ran all day. After completing his daily marathon, Black came home for a Thanksgiving meal of salad and protein shakes. 

CNN iReport: 26 marathons in 26 days 

He's not complaining. He says he started this challenge to draw attention to impoverished people who go hungry on a daily basis. 

"You drive around any city in the United States, and there's always someone somewhere holding a sign or digging through a garbage can for something to eat," he says. "It's great that everyone donates a turkey at Thanksgiving, but this is something bigger than just Thanksgiving." 

An estimated 16.2% of the Southern Nevada population is considered "food insecure," meaning people do not know when or from where their next meal will come. 
Did he at least eat some turkey when he went home?
Black came home for a Thanksgiving meal of salad and protein shakes. 
