At a celebration this week, it was announced that the 28th annual Hunger Hike raised $96,899. Each of sponsoring organizations received $30,230. Collectively, THIS decade, Hunger Hike raised $978,597 (10 year total) – an amazing accomplishment in the fight against hunger. The celebration was capped off with the presentation of checks to representatives of the three sponsoring organizations: Duane Sellers & Chuck Anderson representing St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry; Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.; and Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry. All major donors and event sponsors were also recognized.
A majority of the money comes from local churches ($49,033). The top 5 CHURCH fundraisers:
St. Thomas Aquinas ($30,031)
Chapel of the Good Shepherd
St. John’s Episcopal
Bethany Presbyterian
Central Presbyterian
The top six INDIVIDUAL fundraisers:
Rob Pahl ($10,930) – First individual to raise over $10,000
Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP
Jane & Duane Sellers
Dr. Michael Lockwood
Patti O’Callaghan
The top organization/group TEAMS:
Decatur Street Kids ($2,079)
Dogs Against Hunger
Purdue English Department – Poets & Critics
Grandma’s Bunch
Benton Central High School CAAP, Food Finders Food Bank & Tippecanoe Democrats (3-way tie)
Special thanks to DIAMOND Level event sponsor — The Lafayette Life Foundation ($5,000 donation); and the Gold Level event sponsors — Walmart/Sam’s Club of Lafayette/West Lafayette ($2,500 donation).
Total Hunger Hike corporate gifts totaled $25,136. To view all of our event sponsors, click HERE.
The proceeds from Hunger Hike 2019 will have a tremendous & immediate positive impact on the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally & globally. Thank you all again for supporting Hunger Hike. More information may be found on the Hunger Hike website at hungerhike.org. If you wish to become a Hunger Hike2020 event sponsor, please email hungerhike@lumserve.org).
Please mark your calendars for next year’s Hunger Hike — Sunday, September 20, 2020 —
Special THANKS to every donor, fundraiser, church, team, and event sponsor for your support. Let’s work together to reach $100,000 this year. And thanks.
Support Hunger Hike while you enjoy your meal at Texas Roadhouse . Present the coupon to your server when you order and Texas Roadhouse will donate 20% of your purchase to Hunger Hike.
Hunger Hike gets 20% of your food sales — so, eat up!
Please share this with others. THANK YOU.
The Texas Roadhouse Story
It all began on February 17, 1993, when Kent Taylor opened the first Texas Roadhouse in Clarksville, Indiana. Kent’s goal was to own not just a family restaurant and not just a steak restaurant, but a place where everyone, of all ages, could come and have a great meal and great fun for a great price.
We like to brag about our Hand-Cut Steaks, Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs, Made-From-Scratch Sides, and Fresh-Baked Bread. Everything we do goes into making our hearty meals stand out. We handcraft almost everything we serve. We provide larger portions so you get more food for your dollar. And if you want an Ice Cold Beer or Legendary Margarita to wash it all down — well, we have those, too.
Our food’s not the only thing that’s Legendary at the Roadhouse — our fun is too! From our line dancers to our jukebox to our friendly servers, you’ll enjoy every second you spend in a Texas Roadhouse.
At Texas Roadhouse our team has an incredible sense of pride in everything we do. Our passion ensures you have a Legendary Experience every time. Because of our passion for our guests and our communities, our team members are involved outside the restaurants in their local communities as a way to give back.
The Texas Roadhouse story is simple. Legendary Food, Legendary Service® — all with lots of Legendary Fun!
The official Hunger Hike 2019 T-shirt (see photo) will be available this weekend at the Masses at St. Thomas Aquinas for a donation to Hunger Hike. Details are as follows:
The Hunger Hike 2019 goal, $100,000, has not been met yet, but we are so very close. Each year 15% of the donations are made AFTER Hunger Hike. Working together this goal can be achieved.
To learn how you still can support Hunger Hike and help us reach our goal, go to hungerhike.org.
The programs at LUM, Food Finders and St. Thomas Aquinas are depending on you. Thanks.
Hunger Hike 2019 — Spirited & Passionate Crowd
Hunger Hike 2019 on Sunday, September 22, drew a big crowd with passionate participants wanting to make a difference. Despite predictions of thunderstorms, it turned out to be a perfect autumn afternoon. The “Hike” was pleasant and picturesque.
It began with a blessing, a spirited cheer from the Purdue Cheerleaders and Purdue Pete, and the traditional Zumba Warm Up led by Miss Brooke, Kasie & Amanda from Studio b Dance & Fitness. The US National Anthem was then sung by Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker and her daughter, Kelly Jacobs. There was also live music, face-painting, balloon animals, massages, and voter registration.
Before the Hike kicked off there was an inspiring keynote from Coach Sharon Versyp, the Hunger Hike honorary co-chair, as well as remarks from Jason Mitchell, Purdue Crew assistant coach; Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski; West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis; and State Representatives Chris Campbell & Sheila Klinker.
Purdue Pete, Purdue Cheerleaders, and the Purdue Crew Team led the hikers up the Wabash Heritage Trail along the Wabash River. Hunger Hike concluded with a Celebration Picnic with hot dogs, chips & bottled water for all participants.
For 27 years, Hunger Hike has brought much needed attention & funds to the battle against malnutrition, food insecurity & hunger locally, regionally & globally. Thank you to all of our participants & sponsors for another epic event.
Hunger Hike
Purdue Boilermaker Spirit at Hunger Hike
In addition to the two Purdue coaches serving as 2019 honorary co-chairs (see below), Hunger Hike featured Purdue Pete, the Purdue Cheer team and the Boilermaker Special.
The Purdue Cheer team performed with Purdue Pete right before Zumba.
Thanks to Purdue Athletics and the Purdue Reamer Club for their support.
Zumba Warm Up – Annual Hunger Hike Tradition
One of the highlights of Hunger Hike each year is the Zumba warm-up presented by Studio b Dance & Fitness (downtown Lafayette).
Zumba followed the blessing and Purdue cheerleaders.
Miss Brooke (studio owner), Amanda & Kasie (fitness instructors) brought the Hunger Hike crowd to their feet with the annual Zumba warm-up.
Studio b Dance & Fitness was recently recognized as the Small Business of the Year.
Indiana State Rep. Klinker to Sing National Anthem
Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative, will kick-off Hunger Hike sang of the US National Anthem with her daughter, Kelly Jacobs.
State Representative Sheila Klinker was first elected in 1982 to represent District 27. A proud Boilermaker alumna, Klinker taught for more than 34 years in the Lafayette School Corporation and served as the Outreach Liaison for the Purdue School of Education for 15 years. As a college student, Klinker was named “Miss Purdue” and finished as second runner-up in the “Miss Indiana” contest. Klinker lives in Lafayette with her husband, Victor. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Co-Chairs — Purdue Coaches Versyp & Kucik
The Hunger Hike 2019 honorary co-chairs were Purdue Coaches Sharon Versyp (women’s basketball) & Dave Kucik (men’s & women’s crew & rowing).
Coaches Versyp & Kucik are perfect ambassadors for Hunger Hike. Both set the bar high for their own work and their teams. They have a serious commitment to serving their community — especially in supporting food assistance and nutrition programs. Participants were able to meet them and the student-athletes as well as see a Purdue Crew team “shell.”
Music from RatPak’s “DJ Powder” Starts (Noon – 3:30 p.m.)
DJ Powder created a fun, family friendly, festive environment during the kick-off of Hunger Hike.
Hot Dog Picnic Clowns, Massages, Voter Registration & More
At Hunger Hike, there was a Hot Dog Picnic with free hot dogs, bottled water & chips. Hunger Hike also included clowns, face painting, balloon animals, massages, and voter registration. Hunger Hike is thankful for the support of our many sponsors — including:
Everyone who raised more than $50 was presented with a 2019 Hunger Hike T-shirt at check-in on Sunday, September 22 at Riehle Plaza. Participants can now wear them in pride knowing that they have made a difference in the Fight Against Hunger.
It is not too late to start raising money for Hunger Hike — and secure your official 2019 T-shirt. Just go to the Hunger Hike website and get started today — hungerhike.org.
Everyone who raises more than $50 will be presented with a 2019 Hunger Hike T-shirt at check-in on Sunday, September 22 at Riehle Plaza. You can then wear it in pride knowing that YOU have made a difference in the Fight Against Hunger.
It is not too late to start raising money for Hunger Hike — and secure your official 2019 T-shirt. Just go to the Hunger Hike website and get started today — hungerhike.org.
At Hunger Hike, there will be a Hot Dog Picnic with free hot dogs, bottled water & chips. Hunger Hike also includes clowns, face painting, balloon animals, massages, and voter registration. Hunger Hike is thankful for the support of our many sponsors — including:
The Hunger Hike 2019 honorary co-chairs are Purdue Coaches Sharon Versyp (women’s basketball) & Dave Kucik (men’s & women’s crew & rowing).
Coaches Versyp & Kucik are perfect ambassadors for Hunger Hike. Both set the bar high for their own work and their teams. They have a serious commitment to serving their community — especially in supporting food assistance and nutrition programs. You’ll get to meet them and the student-athletes on their teams as well as see a Purdue Crew team “shell.”
Join us THIS Sunday to meet and hear remarks from Coaches Sharon Versyp & Dave Kucik at the Hunger Hike kick-off event at 1:45 p.m. (Riehle Plaza).
Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative, will kick-off Hunger Hikewith the singing of the US National Anthem.
State Representative Sheila Klinker was first elected in 1982 to represent District 27. A proud Boilermaker alumna, Klinker taught for more than 34 years in the Lafayette School Corporation and served as the Outreach Liaison for the Purdue School of Education for 15 years. As a college student, Klinker was named “Miss Purdue” and finished as second runner-up in the “Miss Indiana” contest. Klinker lives in Lafayette with her husband, Victor. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Join us THIS Sunday to hear Sheila Klinker sing the National Anthem at the Hunger Hike kick-off event at 1:15 p.m. (Riehle Plaza).
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