The Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) is an organization of more than 47 Christian churches that serves as a social safety net for Lafayette, Indiana's needy children and families.
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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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 $83,000has 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:
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 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
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.”
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:
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.”
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:
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.”
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:
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.”
Hunger Hike participants and teams come in many shapes and sizes — some are high school teams, Purdue learning communities, businesses, sororities — and local churches. Church teams are the most consistent and successful fundraisers for Hunger Hike each year — and many use creative methods to get their members engaged and get them to give. One of our best examples is what’s happening over at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Lafayette.
Through the leadership of their pastor, Rev. Kevin A. Bowers, members of Bethany have participated is some unique competitions over the years raising close to $3000 annually for Hunger Hike. One year, Bethany members were asked to donate to Hunger Hike and signify “Colts” or “Steelers.” The football team that had the most money would determine which jersey Pastor Kevin, who is a loyal Pittsburgh Steelers fan, would be wearing to the Steelers/Colts game in Indianapolis.
Last year, capitalizing on the “ice bucket challenge” phenomenon, the top fundraiser had the privilege of dumping a bucket of ice water on the Pastor. This year as part of something they are calling “Block a Hymn,” any contributor of $75.00 or more will be able to select a Hymn that they will not sing at church services for an entire year. Those members whose favorite hymns have been blocked have the option of buying it back for $75.00. A stir was created when one member chose to block Silent Night. It has already been bought back several times over.
Pastor Kevin Bowers shares that he is OK with being a little bit more unorthodox when it comes to raising money for Hunger Hike. He stated,
“Food insecurity is a troubling issue for our community — especially when it concerns children and the affect on their growth and development.
We can solve this problem — we just lack the will.”
Pastor Kevin’s hope is that each of the members of Bethany understands the importance of “sharing our blessings” and the responsibility we have for “reaching out and taking care of one another.” He also wants to create a fundraising plan that allows for really big donations as well as the smaller ones. Hunger Hike gives them a perfect opportunity to be a part of the something bigger — the Fight Against Hunger.
Bethany Presbyterian Church stands as an inspiration to all of us. Let’s take their lead and use the final two weeks leading up to Hunger Hike to reach the 2015 goal of $100,000.
Hunger Hike
To participate as an individual or team fundraiser with Hunger Hike, start HERE.
Hunger Hike T-shirts have been designed and they are being manufactured this week. The Hunger Hike shirt is pictured above to the left; and the HH5K Run T-shirt, to the right.
Hunger Hike participants who raise more than $50 will get a commemorative T-Shirt.* For 2015, the Hunger Hike team has gone with a bright color and a bold design. Hunger Hike Participants will get their shirts at check-in on Sunday, September 20th starting at noon.
Runners registered in the HH5K Run will get their shirts at check-in on Saturday, September 19th starting at 8 a.m.
Register today for both Hunger Hike and the HH5K Run to get both of the 2015 Hunger Hike T-shirts. Participate in Hunger Hike — work hard raising funds to Fight Hunger — run fast in the Race to Fight Hunger — and wear your shirts with pride!
*T-shirts are available only while supplies and sizes last. Hunger Hike team does it’s best to have enough T-shirts on hand in a variety of sizes for all of our participants — but we may run out of certain sizes if you check-in late.
Hunger Hike MEDIA EVENT – Tuesday, September 8, 2015 – Riehle Plaza, Lafayette, IN
At this week’s Hunger Hike media event moderated by Katy Bunder, executive director of Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., many important updates were shared.
Hunger Hike 2015 Goal – $100,000
First, the Hunger Hike committee announced the fundraising goal for 2015 is $100,000. Last year more than $95,000 was raised — which was the highest amount ever, and all are confident the $100,000 goal can be reached this year with the help of the entire community.
Impact of Construction Delays
Katy Bunder
Unfortunately, last Thursday the City of Lafayette announced a new construction schedule for the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge — which impacts Hunger Hike 2015. There will not be access to the ramp that takes “hikers” to the other side of the railroad tracks to the trail; therefore, the Hunger Hike 3K Walk route has been changed. The Hunger Hike Kick-off event will remain at our traditional location — Riehle Plaza, Lafayette (Sunday, September 20). The new route will go up Main Street — take a left and stay north of Main Street and south of Union Street and west of 9th Street — to make up a 3K walk. Hunger Hike planners are working with the Lafayette Police Department to come up with the final Hunger Hike route.
Honorary Co-Chairs
The 2015 Hunger Hike honorary co-chairs were also present and introduced. Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s Basketball head coach, who is the co-chair for her ninth consecutive year, was joined by Coach Dave Kucik, Purdue Rowing & Crew Team head coach, in his second year as co-chair; and Coach Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball head coach, who is co-chair for the first year.
Sharon Versyp, David Kucik & Dave Shondell
Each co-chair offered remarks — and shared that this event is very special to them — as well as Purdue athletics, their teams and the entire Purdue community. They encouraged everyone — between now and Hunger Hike — to raise as much money as they can for the cause. Sharon Versyp stated that $100,000 is a realistic goal which we all should focus on achieving.
HH5K Run — New Route
Janet Fawley & Mayor John Dennis
Next, information about the HH5K Run was shared. Mayor John Dennis (West Lafayette) and the West Lafayette Parks & Recreation Department Superintendent, Janet Fawley, were on hand to express their enthusiasm for the 2015 HH5K Run. They are excited that the HH5K Run is the first official event to use the newly completed Cattail Trail Loop. They couldn’t think of a better event to be the “guinea pigs” for future runs on this course. Mayor Dennis went on to say that hunger and food insecurity in our community is a real issue and affects more families than you could imagine — it is an issue that we can collectively solve — and Hunger Hike is an important piece in working on this combating this issue.
HH5K Run — Celebrity Runners
This year the HH5K Run has a number of “celebrity runners.” They were at the event and excited to be participants. The HH 5K celebrity runners are 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.
They challenged the running community to join them in the official Run Against Hunger — the HH5K Run on Saturday, September 19th. Register HERE.
Event Sponsors – Gold & Silver Level
Finally, an important piece in the Hunger Hike fundraising is the support from our event sponsors. Katy Bunder was thrilled to announce our Gold & Silver Level event sponsors.
This year’s Silver Level event sponsors, who are firms that contributed at least $1000, are to date:
Evonik Corporation – Tippecanoe Laboratories
Bar Barry Liquors; Meijer, Inc.
Old National Bank
SIA – Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
Subway restaurants in Lafayette, West Lafayette and Purdue
System Concepts & Consulting, Inc.
WKOA Radio – K105 Lafayette.
The Hunger Hike 2015 Gold Level event sponsors, who are firms that contributed at least $2000, are to date Alcoa, Inc. and the Bison Financial Group.
The complete list of the 2015 Hunger Hike event sponsors may be found HERE.
Businesses are still encourage to become event sponsors — just call or email the Hunger Hike team (765.423.261 | hungerhike@lumserve.org).
Hunger Hike events are less than two weeks away — and a lot of exciting things are planned for the Kick-off event and the 5K run. Please become a Hunger Hike participant today — and join Coach Versyp, Coach Kucik & Coach Shondell in making this a record breaking year by reaching the 2015 goal of $100,000.
Hunger Hike
To participate as an individual or team fundraiser with Hunger Hike, start HERE.
face-painting & balloon animals from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, and massages from Raleigh Barrett from 
Rev. Kevin A. Bowers, members of Bethany have participated is some unique competitions over the years raising close to $3000 annually for Hunger Hike. One year, Bethany members were asked to donate to Hunger Hike and signify “Colts” or “Steelers.” The football team that had the most money would determine which jersey Pastor Kevin, who is a loyal Pittsburgh Steelers fan, would be wearing to the Steelers/Colts game in Indianapolis.
