Yearly Archives: 2015

Top 2015 Hunger Hike Fundraisers Honored

November 19, 2015Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Member Churches, Uncategorizedchapel of the good shepherd, computer science learning community, food finders food bank, fr patrick baikauskas, hunger hike, john ginda, lafayette urban ministry, lum, mark thomas, pablo malavenda, scott nelson, st andrew umc, st thomas aquinasLafayette Urban Ministry

Hunger Hike 2015 — 95% to Goal — So Far

Since Hunger Hike 2015 weekend, our fundraising committee has been hard at work raising more funds. Many individuals donations have also come in since September. Thus far approximately $95,000 has been pledged & donated to Hunger Hike. Our goal to raise $100,000 is so very close. Working together this goal can be achieved.

Top 2015 Hunger Hike Fundraisers Honored

At a recent LUM Board of Directors Meeting the top Hunger Hike fundraisers in three categories were honored and presented with trophies. The three categories are Top Individual Fundraiser, Top Church Fundraisers, and Top Group (non-church) Fundraisers.

The Top Three Church Fundraisers for 2015 Hunger Hike are as follows:

1st Place—St. Thomas Aquinas Center—$26,241. Accepting are Rob Pahl, Lauri Mitchell & John Ginda (pictured above, left);
2nd Place—Chapel of the Good Shepherd—$ 4,477. Accepting is Mark Thomas (pictured above, center);
3rd Place—St. Andrew United Methodist Church —$3,899. Accepting is Melissa Martin (pictured above, right).

The Top Group Fundraisers—

Computer Science Learning Community at Purdue University—$1,030.

Accepting is their advisor, Scott Nelson (pictured left).

The Top Individual Fundraiser—

Fr. Patrick Baikaukas, OP—$6,786.

(pictured right with Joe Micon, LUM executive director).

Ways YOU Can Help

Ways the YOU can help us reach our fundraising goal of $100,000. Some suggestions on how you can donate and raise funds for our Fight Against Hunger:

Reach out to your friends and family—use Social Media, email, text
Donate NOW online to Hunger Hike, click HERE
Donate by mail— make checks payable to Hunger Hike, and mail to Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
Donate in person— stop by the LUM Office
(420 N 4th Street, Lafayette), M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Donate to a Team or Fundraiser, click HERE

All Hunger Hike proceeds support the Lafayette Urban Ministry food assistance programs including the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry.

For more information on Hunger Hike — go to www.hungerhike.org.

Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike Photo Memories

Check out this year’s photos on Facebook or Flickr. Please tag yourself & share the photos with #HungerHike. When you tag yourself and share — you’re spreading the word about Hunger Hike and our Fight Against Hunger — and generate more donations.

Hunger Hike Photos — To view, click HERE
HH5K Run Photos — To view, click HERE

Special thanks to our official Hunger Hike photographers: Ed Lausch from Lausch Photography, and Olivia DeCrane & Zoe Malavenda from Harrison High School.

Share your photos from Hunger Hike weekend and use #HungerHike.

Hunger Hike Dignitaries – 2015

October 2, 2015Hunger Hike, Uncategorizeddave shondell, faith graham, food finders food bank, hunger hike, kucik, lafayette urban ministry, lum, nadine morgan, pablo malavenda, purdue pete, ron alting, sheila klinker, st thomas aquinas, tony roswarskiLafayette Urban Ministry

Before hundreds of Hunger Hikers hit the road for the 3K Walk, several dignitaries shared their excitement & offered remarks on the importance of this event.

hungerhike dignitaries Pictured L to R: Dave Kucik, Purdue Crew Team & Rowing coach, Purdue Pete, Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP, pastor/director of campus ministries, St. Thomas Aquinas; Nadine Morgan, Purdue Women’s Basketball assoc. head coach; Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball coach; Judge Faith Graham; Joe Micon, LUM executive director; Peter Bunder, West Lafayette City Council president; Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative; Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank executive director; Nancy Nargi, Lafayette City Council member; and Mayor Tony Roswarski, City of Lafayette. Not pictured: Dave Byers, Tippecanoe County Commissioner and Ron Alting, Indiana State Senator.

Special thanks to all of our dignitaries and Shamus from K105 Radio for their continued support of Hunger Hike.

Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike HEROES – 2015

October 2, 2015Hunger Hike, Uncategorizedfood finders food bank, hunger hike, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, st thomas aquinasLafayette Urban Ministry

Everyone was encouraged to be a Hunger Hike HERO — and several stepped up to the challenge. Hunger Hike Heroes are individuals who participated in both the HH5K Run on Saturday & the Hunger Hike 3K Walk on Sunday — and raised at least $50.

This year the Hunger Hike Heroes who stepped up to the challenge to run, hike and raise money to Fight Hunger are as follows:

Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP
Jeremiah Dole
Alain El Howayek
Daniel Keilman
Joe Micon
Patti O’Callaghan
Rev. Bradley Pace
Genevieve Viduya

Hunger Hike

HH5K Run — Race to Feed the Hungry

October 2, 2015Hunger Hike, Uncategorizedfood finders food bank, hunger hike, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, st thomas aquinasLafayette Urban Ministry

The purpose of the Hunger Hike 5K Run is to use physical exercise to draw attention to and funds for “Feeding the Hungry.” This past Saturday, more than 75 runners and speed-walkers took part in the HH5K Run 2015 — the Race to Feed the Hungry. The stormy weather cleared up just in time for the start of the run, and it was a cool morning, the skies were clear and the sun was shining — a perfect day for a race.

The HH5K Run 2015 convened at Celery Bog Nature Area (Cumberland Ave., West Lafayette) with start/finish on the Cattail Trail through the beautiful Celery Bog Nature Area. The latest “chip technology” was used to give all runners an accurate race result time.

The HH5K Run winners are as follows:

Youth—1st: Robbie Burton, 2nd: Colin Frier, 3rd: Holly Perdue
Women—1st: Isabella Garcia, 2nd: Katie Micon, 3rd: Emily Rigsbee
Men—1st: Matthew Hoelle (not pictured), 2nd: Jordan Kehl, 3rd: Gautam Bhayani

The 2015 Hunger Hike 5K Run gave serious runners an opportunity to support these outstanding local organizations while enjoying a 5K event on a new and scenic trail.

HH5K Run results, click HERE; PHOTOS, click HERE.

Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike – A Weekend to Remember

September 24, 2015Hunger Hike, UncategorizedDJ Powder, food finders food bank, hunger hike, Innerwaves Massage, kelly jacobs, lafayette urban ministry, Lausch photography, lum, pablo malavenda, Purdue Cheerleaders, purdue pete, Rat Pak Mobile DJs, sheila klinker, st thomas aquinas, Studio b, Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, zumbaLafayette Urban Ministry

Hunger Hike

The Hunger Hike 2015 events were spectacular — filled with great excitement, high energy and genuine good will. The weather cleared up just in time for the HH5K Run on Saturday and was picture perfect on Sunday for the traditional Hunger Hike 3K Walk. Hundreds of caring individuals walked, ran, hiked, and donated funds to the Fight Against Hunger. hh3

The crowd gathered together in Riehle Plaza with one goal in mind – Fighting Hunger.

The event this year was special from beginning to end — starting with the Purdue Cheerleaders & Purdue Pete, National Anthem sung by Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker & her daughter, Kelly Jacobs, director of music for the Cathedral of St. Mary; Zumba with Brooke & Kasie from Studio b Dance & Fitness — closing with a Celebration Picnic with hot dogs, chips & bottled water for all participants — and music throughout the entire event by DJ Powder from Rat Pak Mobile DJs.

Riehle plaza also included hh4 face-painting & balloon animals from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, and massages from Raleigh Barrett from Innerwaves Massage Therapy. To welcome the hikers and to kick-off the hike, special guest speakers (see below) offered remarks which included information, words of inspiration and blessings to the hikers just before the main event. Purdue Pete, Purdue Cheerleaders, Boilermaker Special, Purdue Crew Team, Purdue Basketball Team & Purdue Volleyball Team led the hikers to the route over the Leslie Bridge into West Lafayette, through Wabash Landing, along the Wabash River and by the Purdue Boathouse. The event was successful in bringing much needed attention & funds to the battle against malnutrition, food insecurity & hunger.

Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike Photo Memories

All of the greatest moments of the Hunger Hike 2015 weekend were captured in photos. Check them out on Facebook or Flickr. Please tag yourself & share the photos with #HungerHike. When you tag yourself and share — you’re spreading the word about Hunger Hike and our Fight Against Hunger.

Hunger Hike Photos
— To view, click HERE
HH5K Run Photos
— To view, click HERE

Special thanks to our official Hunger Hike photographers: Ed Lausch from Lausch Photography, and Olivia DeCrane & Zoe Malavenda from Harrison High School.

Share your photos from Hunger Hike weekend and use #HungerHike.

Hunger Hike — Not Quite There Yet

September 24, 2015Hunger Hike, Uncategorizedfood finders food bank, hunger hike, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, st thomas aquinasLafayette Urban Ministry

Most of the donations have been counted for Hunger Hike 2015, and our goal has not been met yet for this year. We are just “not quite there yet.”

Thus far approximately $83,000 has been pledged & donated to Hunger Hike

Our goal to raise $100,000 is so very close. Each year 15% of Hunger Hike donations are made in the two months AFTER Hunger Hike. Working together this goal can be achieved.

Working Together to Reach Our Goal

Hunger Hike fundraisers and teams should send one more message to your friends & family requesting a donation. A sample message may be found HERE. Also you’re encouraged to use the tools in First-Giving to send messages & share your page on Facebook or Twitter.

Other options to donate and join our Fight Against Hunger are as follows:

Donate online to Hunger Hike, click HERE
Donate by mail— make checks payable to Hunger Hike, and mail to Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
Donate in person— stop by the LUM Office
(420 N 4th Street, Lafayette), M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Donate to a Team or Fundraiser, click HERE

All Hunger Hike proceeds support the Lafayette Urban Ministry food assistance programs including the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry. For more information on Hunger Hike — go to www.hungerhike.org.

Hunger Hike

Schedule of Events

September 18, 2015Hunger Hikefood finders food bank, haiti ministry, hunger hike, Joe Micon, katy bunder, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, purdue womens basketball, Riehle Plaza, st thomas aquinasLafayette Urban Ministry

Hunger Hike 2015 is one of the most well respected and longest running fundraising events in our community. What’s special about this event is the focus on simply Fighting Hunger & Feeding Families.

This year there will be face painting, Zumba, massages, hot dogs, and music — and you’ll be able to meet Purdue Pete & cheerleaders, the Purdue Volleyball & Women’s Basketball teams and three Purdue coaches as well as see the Boilermaker Special. Keep raising money for Hunger Hike until we meet our goal — and join us for the Hunger Hike events this weekend to celebrate.

Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike details and schedule is as follows:

Hunger Hike Kick-Off event
Sunday, September 20
Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette

1:15 p.m.
- Purdue Cheerleaders perform
- National Anthem: Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative & Kelly Jacobs
- Zumba warm-up with Brooke from Studio b Dance & Fitness, Lafayette
Starting at Noon
- Check-in and turn in your donations — Enjoy DJ Powder, Clowns, Face painting, Massages, snacks and more
1:45 p.m.
- Kick-Off ceremony with
  - Coach Nadine Morgan, Coach David Kucik & Coach Dave Shondell, Coach Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton
  - State Representatives Sheila Klinker & Ron Alting
  - Mayor Tony Roswarski, Lafayette
  - Peter Bunder, West Lafayette City Council president
  - Sally Seigrist, Tippecanoe County Council member
  - Judge Faith Graham & Judge Sean Persin
  - Shamus from K105 Radio!
  - Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry
  - Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, St. Thomas Aquinas Center
  - Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.

2 p.m. — Hunger Hike begins, led by
- Purdue Pete
- Purdue Cheerleaders
- Boilermaker Special
- Purdue Women’s Basketball & Volleyball teams
- Purdue Rowing & Crew Team

End of Hike — Riehle Plaza — Celebration Picnic with Hot dogs, chips & bottled water

To view the 3K Walk route map, click HERE.

HH5K Run
Saturday, September 19
Celery Bog Nature Area, 1780 Cumberland Ave., West Lafayette

8 a.m. – 9 a.m. — Check-in

9 a.m.
- Welcome – Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry
- Celebrity runners introduced – Shamus from K105; Rev. Bradley Pace, pastor at St. John’s Episcopal Church; Joe Micon, executive director of LUM; and Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP – pastor/director of campus ministries, St. Thomas Aquinas Center, West Lafayette
- Invocation – Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, St. Thomas Aquinas Center

After Run
- Results posted
- Trophies – top female, male & youth runners

More information:

Hunger Hike is an annual Fall community fundraising weekend which includes the traditional 3K Walk on Sunday as well as a 5K run on Saturday. This year Hunger Hike is Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20, 2015.

All Hunger Hike proceeds directly support the Lafayette Urban Ministry food assistance programs including the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., and St. Thomas Aquinas Center’s Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project. Since early 1990s Lafayette Urban Ministry, St. Thomas Aquinas Center and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. have been organizing a walk to support food programs locally, regionally and globally. Formerly known as the Crop Walk, it was officially renamed Hunger Hike in 1993.

Today, Hunger Hike gives companies, organizations, families & individuals many ways to be a part of a community event with a tremendous positive impact on “Fighting Hunger.”

Be a Hunger Hike HERO

September 17, 2015Hunger Hikehh5k run, hunger hike, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavendaLafayette Urban Ministry

Everyone is encouraged to be a Hunger Hike HERO.

Hunger Hike Heroes are individuals who participate in both the HH5K Run on Saturday, September 19th and the Hunger Hike traditional 3K Walk on Sunday, September 20th and raise at least $50.

If you participate in both events on Hunger Hike weekend and raise at least $50 — you will not only get two T-shirts — you will also be recognized as a Hunger Hike HERO.

Take the challenge—Run, Hike, Raise money to Fight Hunger — and become a Hunger Hike HERO!

For more information on Hunger Hike 2015, please visit and explore our new website at www.hungerhike.org.

More information:

Today, Hunger Hike gives companies, organizations, families & individuals many ways to be a part of a community event with a tremendous positive impact on “Fighting Hunger.”

Hunger Hike & Purdue—Strong Partnership Continues

September 17, 2015Hunger Hikehunger hike, kelly jacobs, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, purdue, purdue peteLafayette Urban Ministry

There is a strong partnership between Purdue University & Hunger Hike — and this year is no exception.

From our Hunger Hike Honorary Co-Chairs to Purdue Pete—Purdue is represented on Sunday. As you may have heard our three 2015 co-chairs are Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s Basketball head coach; Dave Kucik, Purdue Rowing & Crew Team head coach; and Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball head coach. Each will be on hand with their student athletes to help us kick off Hunger Hike on Sunday.

The Hunger Hike Kick-off event will also feature the Purdue Cheerleaders and Purdue Pete. Our official program will start with a spirited cheer from them both. Leading the Hike will be the Purdue Crew Team with their sculls and sweep boats, Purdue Pete & the cheerleaders, the Purdue Volleyball & Women’s Basketball teams as well as the Purdue mascot — the Boilermaker Special.

Since the primary focus of Hunger Hike is raising much needed money for the Fight Against Hunger, we are also proud of the many Purdue staff, students, and faculty who are participating as fundraisers this year. Among the student groups are Alpha Phi Omega, the CS Learning Community, and the Purdue Catholic Students. There are also faculty and staff like Jane Stewart and Genevieve Viduya participating in the Hunger Hike on Sunday as well as the HH5K Run on Saturday.

Hunger Hike brings together the entire community—especially Purdue—in a common goal of Fighting Hunger. Boiler Up!

For more information on Hunger Hike 2015, please visit and explore our new website at www.hungerhike.org.

More information:

Today, Hunger Hike gives companies, organizations, families & individuals many ways to be a part of a community event with a tremendous positive impact on “Fighting Hunger.”

State Representative to Sing at Hunger Hike

September 17, 2015Hunger Hikehunger hike, kelly jacobs, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, sheila klinkerLafayette Urban Ministry

State Representative Sheila Klinker and Kelly Jacob will be singing the National Anthem this year at the Hunger Hike Kick-off event THIS Sunday—September 20th at Riehle Plaza.

Sheila Klinker is currently a member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 27th District since 1982. She serves on the House Committees for Agriculture and Rural Development, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety, and Ways and Means.

Ms. Kelly Jacob is the director of music at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Lafayette) and is Sheila Klinker’s daughter.

Sheila Klinker and Kelly Jacob are both accomplished singers — and we are honored to have them starting our Hunger Hike program. Sheila Klinker has been a loyal supporter of Hunger Hike from its inception.

Please join us at the Hunger Hike Kick-off event to hear this special rendition of the National Anthem by our Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker and Ms. Kelly Jacobs.

Details are as follows:

Date: Sunday, September 20
Time: 1:15 p.m. — National Anthem
Place: Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette

For more information on Hunger Hike 2015, please visit and explore our new website at www.hungerhike.org.

More information:

Today, Hunger Hike gives companies, organizations, families & individuals many ways to be a part of a community event with a tremendous positive impact on “Fighting Hunger.”