In July, Food Finders Food Bank experienced a 70% increase in visits to their Fresh Market Community Food Pantry over the same time last year
In the first half of the year, Lafayette Urban Ministry saw a 36% jump in visits to their food pantry over 2021. The number of new food pantry clients went up 123%, and they saw a 33% increase in visits to their emergency shelter.
Food insecure adults are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure. They are also more likely to report mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, and poor general health. Seniors who are food insecure have a decreased capacity to maintain independence with aging.
Children who face hunger are more likely to struggle in school and experience developmental setbacks. Kids who struggle to get enough to eat also face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma.
In addition to decreased intellectual and emotional development and poor academic performance, children living in food insecure households are at higher risk of poor physical and mental health. They are substantially more likely to be diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, asthma, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, cognitive impairment, and behavioral disorders. They are also at higher risk of being hospitalized. These health problems and the resulting time demands placed on caregivers impact the ability of caregivers to maintain stable employment.
Seniors struggling with hunger often have to make the difficult decision between paying for rent, medication, or transportation and food.
For seniors, lack of access to healthy foods, or even a stable diet, can lead to life threatening medical conditions, such as disability, deteriorating health/ mental health conditions, serious infections, lengthy hospitalization, and malnutrition. The number one health condition caused by food insecurity among seniors is clinical (severe/major) depression. For more information on senior hunger, read The State of Senior Hunger
Every Fundraiser who raises at least $50 for Hunger Hike is entitled to a free Hunger Hike 2020 T-shirt. Sign up below to choose a time slot for picking up your T-shirt at the LUM Office, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN.
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:
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).
One of the highlights of Hunger Hike each year is the Zumba warm-up presented by Studio b Dance & Fitness (downtown Lafayette). Zumba will follow the National Anthem.
Miss Brooke (studio owner) & Kasie (fitness instructor) will bring 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.
Join us THIS Sunday to participate in our Zumba warm-up with Miss Brooke & Kasie at the Hunger Hike kick-off event at 1:20 p.m. (Riehle Plaza).
In addition to the two Purdue coaches serving as 2019 honorary co-chairs (see below), Hunger Hike will also feature Purdue Pete, the Purdue Cheer team and the Boilermaker Special. The Purdue Cheer team will perform with Purdue Pete right before Zumba. Thanks to Purdue Athletics and the Purdue Reamer Club for their support.
Join us THIS Sunday to see the Purdue Cheer team, to meet Purdue Pete and check out the Boilermaker Special at the Hunger Hike kick-off event from 1 – 2 p.m. (Riehle Plaza).
