Category Archives: Lafayette Urban Ministry

Introducing the Hunger Hike Co-chairs

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Introducing the Hunger Hike 2018 Co-Chairs
Coach Sharon Versyp & Coach David Kucik

The Hunger Hike 2018 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 have a high standard for their own work, hold their teams to a high standard and have a serious commitment to serving their community — especially in supporting food assistance and nutrition programs. As wonderful role models they will also be engaging the collegiate athletes on their teams in this Hunger Hike event.

Join us THIS Sunday to meet Coaches Sharon Versyp & Dave Kucik and hear their remarks at the Hunger Hike kick-off event at 1:30 p.m. (Riehle Plaza).

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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike 2018 Teams Up with Purdue Coaches

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Purdue Coaches Versyp & Kucik – Fighting Hunger

At an event this week at Mackey Arena, two prominent Purdue Coaches announced they would be teaming up with Hunger Hike as honorary co-chairs to join the Fight Against Hunger.

Honorary Hunger Hike Co-chairs, Coach Sharon Versyp (women’s basketball) & Coach Dave Kucik (rowing & crew). Both spoke passionately about the importance of Hunger Hike and the power of coming together as a community to Fight Hunger. They also put out a challenge to the entire community to start fundraising now to reach this year’s Hunger Hike goal of $115,000.

Representatives from the three sponsoring organizations — Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. & St. Thomas Aquinas Center — also offered remarks and shared how important this fundraiser is to funding the programs necessary to addressing the needs of the families in our community and abroad.

For more information on how you can begin fundraising for Hunger Hike see below or go to our website — hungerhike.org.

{Pictured above L to R: Katy Bunder, CEO/president, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.; Fr. Patrick Baikauskas OP, pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Center; Coach Sharon Versyp; Coach Dave Kucik; Joe Micon, executive director, Lafayette Urban Ministry.}

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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike Needs Your Support

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Dear Friend,

On September 16, we will be joining hundreds of participants in the annual Hunger Hike at Riehle Plaza in downtown Lafayette, and we need your help to make our efforts matter!

About a quarter of all residents of Tippecanoe County are at risk of going hungry, but they are not eligible for federal food assistance. What that means is that they have to turn to food pantries and feeding programs run by local nonprofits, civic groups and churches in order to get enough to eat.

Unfortunately, the problem among households with children is even more serious. Too many children in our community are missing out on the nutrition they need for their healthy growth and development. This is especially unacceptable when there are solutions to ending hunger in our community now.

Hunger Hike is one of those solutions.

Hunger Hike is our community’s oldest and most well respected fundraising walk, dating back to the early 1970’s. Last year more than 1,100 people participated in the event. Over the years, more than $1.6 million dollars have been raised, providing vital funding to the feeding programs of Lafayette Urban Ministry and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. In addition, Hunger Hike also helps to fund efforts by St. Thomas Aquinas Center to purify water and safely preserve agricultural commodities in the fight against hunger in Haiti.

We are grateful that you have been a generous supporter of Hunger Hike in the past and hope that you will continue that support again this year. First and foremost, please circle the following dates on your calendar…

Hunger Hike – Kick-off Event
Sunday, September 16; 2 p.m. – 3K walk; Noon – check in
Riehle Plaza & Wabash Heritage Trail, Lafayette, Indiana
For more information, go to hungerhike.org

Hunger Hike 5K Run
Saturday, September 15; 9 a.m. – 5K run; 8 a.m. – Check in
Celery Bog Nature Area, Cattail Trail, West Lafayette, Indiana
For more information, go to hungerhike.org

We also hope that you will join us in making a generous financial gift to Hunger Hike, right now, prior to the event.

Your gift of $35, $50, $100, $250, $500, or more, will help us to meet our $115,000 fundraising goal and allow our three sponsoring organizations to feed hungry children and strengthen families who are experiencing food insecurity.

We hope you will contribute generously to Hunger Hike again this year.

  • Run a little faster
  • Walk a little farther
  • Dig a little deeper

Join us on the front lines in the fight against hunger.

Please, can we hear from you as soon as possible? Make out your check to “Hunger Hike” and place it in the enclosed envelope – or give online at hungerhike.org/donate.

Gratefully,

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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike 2017 – Raises $110,000+

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Second Year in a Row – Funds Exceed $110,000

At a celebration this week, it was announced that the 25th annual Hunger Hike reached its goal. For the second year in a row Hunger Hike has raised over $110,000 — and for the third year, over $100,000.

The 2017 Hunger Hike total is $110,083 plus numerous gifts in kind. Each sponsoring agency received $36,694.

The celebration was capped off with the presentation of checks to representatives of the three sponsoring organizations: Fr. Patrick Baikauskas OP, 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 ($58,498). The top six CHURCH fundraisers:

  • St. Thomas Aquinas ($36,932)
  • Bethany Presbyterian ($3,384)
  • Chapel of the Good Shepherd ($3,366)
  • St. Andrew United Methodist ($2,235)
  • Central Presbyterian ($1,155)
  • St. John’s Episcopal ($1,125)

The top six INDIVIDUAL fundraisers:

  • Rob Pahl ($8,340)
  • Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP ($7,551)
  • Jane & Duane Sellers ($7,280)
  • Michael Lockwood ($4,250)
  • John Ginda ($2,705)
  • The Eros Family ($1,770)

The top organization/group TEAMS:

  • Purdue English Department Poets & Critics ($2,475)
  • Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. ($1,060)
  • Purdue Boxing Club ($990)
  • Purdue Crew ($550)
  • Grandma’s Bunch ($862)
  • Alpha Gamma Delta – Beta Xi Chapter at Purdue ($275)

Special thanks to DIAMOND Level event sponsors:

  • the Lafayette Life Foundation ($5,000)
  • Walmart/Sam’s Club ($5,500)

Total Hunger Hike corporate gifts totaled $30,488. To view all of our event sponsors, click HERE.

The proceeds from Hunger Hike 2017 will have a tremendous & immediate positive impact on the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally & globally. Thank you all again for making history again this year at Hunger Hike.

Please mark your calendars for next year’s Hunger Hike event weekend
— September 15 & 16, 2018 —

More information may be found on the Hunger Hike website at www.hungerhike.org.
If you wish to become a Hunger Hike 2018 event sponsor, please call or email Joe Micon (765-423-2691 | jmicon@lumserve.org).

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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike 2016 Raises $114,407

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Hunger Hike Exceeds Fundraising Goal AGAIN!

Hunger HikeAt a celebration this morning, it was announced that Hunger Hike 2016 not only raised a record amount but also exceeded the 2016 fundraising goal. For the second year in a row the amount raised exceeded $100,000 — and for the fourth consecutive year it is the highest amount ever raised.

The 2016 total is $114,407 plus numerous gifts in kind.

Photos from this event may be viewed HERE.

Special thanks to Diamond Level event sponsors —

  • Walmart/Sam’s Club ($7,750)
  • the Lafayette Life Foundation ($5,000)

Total raised through corporate gifts is $39,665. To view all of our event sponsors, click HERE.

A majority of the money comes from local churches and their fundraising efforts. The top church fundraisers this year are as follows:

The top organization/group teams are as follows:

  • Purdue Computer Science ($1,286)
  • Food Finders ($1,170)
  • Grandma’s Bunch ($862)

The celebration was capped off with the presentation of checks to representatives of the three sponsoring organizations —

Each sponsoring agency received $35,977.

The proceeds from Hunger Hike 2016 will have a tremendous & immediate positive impact on the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally & globally. Thank you all again for making history this year at Hunger Hike.

Please mark your calendars for next year’s Hunger Hike event weekend — September 16 & 17, 2017.

More information may be found on the Hunger Hike website at www.hungerhike.org.

If you wish to become a Hunger Hike 2017 event sponsor, please call or email Joe Micon (765-423-2691 | jmicon@lumserve.org).

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Hunger Hike

HH5K Run – 2016 Winners

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2016-09-16-hh5k-013-2-1280x856

On Saturday, September 17, local runners took part in the HH5K Run—the Race to Feed the Hungry—at Celery Bog Nature Area with start/finish on the Cattail Trail through the Celery
Bog Nature Area. The rain cleared up just in time for the run, and it was a cool but cloudy morning — not a bad day for a race.

youth-winnersfemale-winnersmale-winners

The HH5K Run winners are as follows:

  • Youth —
    • 1st: Rob Burton
    • 2nd: Courtney Seger
  • Women —
    • 1st: Katie Micon
    • 2nd: Lauren Harer
    • 3rd: Sarah Carignan
  • Men —
    • 1st: Nick Burton
    • 2nd: Colin Williams
    • 3rd: Robby Stewart

These runners supported these outstanding local organizations while enjoying a 5K event on a scenic trail.

  • HH5K Run RESULTS, click HERE
  • To view HH5K Run PHOTOS, click HERE.
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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike 2016 — Legendary Event

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2016-09-18-hunger-hike-531-2-1280x1280Participants gathered with one common goal—to raise awareness and raise funds for food programs locally, regionally & globally — through the work of Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders and the Haiti Ministry at St. Tom’s. The events this past weekend though — offered even more.

This year was special from beginning to end. Before it all began the crowd was treated to Zumba with Brooke & Kasie from Studio b Dance & Fitness and the National Anthem sung by Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker & her daughter, Kelly Jacobs, director of music for the Cathedral of St. Mary. Throughout the entire event , there was live music by DJ Powder from Rat Pak Mobile DJs, face-painting & balloon animals from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, and massages from Lee Anne Akers of Essential Touch Massage.

Amanda Elmore, US Olympic Gold Medalist (pictured above), gave a rousing keynote address preceded by remarks from Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s Basketball coach; Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball coach; Dave Kucik, Purdue Rowing coach; Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative; John Dennis, West Lafayette Mayor; Tony Roswarski, Lafayette Mayor; Joe Micon, LUM executive director; Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP, pastor/director of campus ministries, St. Thomas Aquinas; Katy Bunder, CEO/president, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.; and Kyle Mann, Walmart Market Manager.

Amanda Elmore also kicked off the Hunger Hike. Purdue Pete, Purdue Cheerleaders, Purdue Crew Team, Purdue Women’s Basketball Team & Purdue Volleyball Team then led the hikers up the John T. Myers Bridge and on the Wabash Heritage Trail along the Wabash River. Hunger Hike concluded with a Celebration Picnic with hot dogs, chips & bottled water for all participants (Thanks to Texas Roadhouse, Frito Lay & Aqua Systems).

Hunger Hike once again successfully brought much needed attention & funds to the battle against malnutrition, food insecurity & hunger.

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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike THIS Weekend – Schedule of Events

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| Raise $$ | Make a Big Donation | Celebrate at Hunger Hike |

47056 Hunger Hike 2016Hunger Hike Kick-Off

Sunday, September 20 at Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette. The Hunger Hike schedule is as follows:

Noon
— Check-in and turn in your donations
DJ Powder, Boilermaker Special, Clowns, Face painting, Balloon animals, Massages, Voter registration and more

1:15 p.m.
— Purdue Pete & Purdue Cheerleaders
— National Anthem: Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative & Kelly Jacobs
—Zumba warm-up with Brooke, Studio b Dance & Fitness, Lafayette

1:45 p.m.
— Kick-Off ceremony with the following:

  • Amanda Elmore, US Olympic Gold Medalist
  • Coach Sharon Versyp, Coach David Kucik & Coach Dave Shondell
  • State Representatives Sheila Klinker & Ron Alting
  • Mayor Tony Roswarski, Lafayette
  • Mayor John Dennis, West Lafayette
  • Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry
  • Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, St. Thomas Aquinas Center
  • Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.
  • Kyle Mann, Walmart

2 p.m.
— Hunger Hike begins, led by

  • Purdue Pete
  • Purdue Cheerleaders
  • Purdue Crew Team
  • Purdue Women’s Basketball & Volleyball teams

End of Hike
— Celebration Picnic—Hot dogs, chips & bottled water
Thanks to Texas Roadhouse, Frito Lay & Aqua Systems
Hunger Hike 5K Run event details and schedule is as follows:

LUM-HUNGR-HK-5kRunRevisionHH5K Run

Saturday, September 19 at 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
  • Invocation – Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, St. Thomas Aquinas Center

After Run

  • Results posted
  • Trophies – top female, male & youth runners

For more information on HH5K Run and Hunger Hike, please visit and explore our website at www.hungerhike.org.

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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike Keynote – Amanda Elmore – US Olympic Gold Medalist

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47056 Hunger Hike 2016Amanda Elmore, US Olympic Gold Medalist, Purdue Alumna & Harrison High Graduate to Speak at
Hunger Hike 2016 — Sunday, September 18

West Lafayette, IN – The Hunger Hike planning team is excited to announce that Amanda Elmore, Olympic Gold Medalist (US Rowing), Purdue Alumna & Harrison High Graduate is scheduled to attend and speak at Hunger Hike 2016 Kick-off event. Details are as follows:

  • Date: Sunday, September 18
  • Times: Noon – 2 p.m.; Remarks at 1:45 p.m.
  • Place: Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette

amanda-elmore

Amanda Elmore and her US Rowing Team earned a GOLD medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Amanda is a graduate of Harrison High School, where she was a member of the band, competed in gymnastics, cross country and track and was valedictorian; and Purdue University, where she was on the Purdue Crew Team and earned many awards and honors.

Both the Harrison High School Raiders and the Purdue Crew Team are great friends of LUM in many ways — especially at Hunger Hike. Purdue Crew Team also supports LUM through their Row-A-Thon fundraising event which this past February donated $8,542 to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund.

There has always been a strong partnership between Purdue University & Hunger Hike. Here is how we connect this year:

  • Keynote: Amanda Elmore
  • Hunger Hike Honorary Co-Chairs: Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s Basketball head coach; Dave Kucik, Purdue Rowing Team head coach; and Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball head coach
  • Participating — Teams: Women’s Basketball, Rowing & Crew Team, Volleyball, Track & Field; and spirit squad: Boilermaker Special, Purdue mascot — plus the Purdue Cheerleaders and Purdue Pete will attend and start the event with a spirited cheer
  • Leading the actual Hunger Hike along the Wabash Heritage Trail will be the Purdue Crew Team with their sculls and sweep boats, Purdue Pete & the cheerleaders, the Purdue Volleyball & Women’s Basketball teams

Each Fall for over 50 years Hunger Hike has brought together the entire community—including Purdue—in a common goal of Fighting Hunger. For more information on Hunger Hike 2016, please visit and explore our new website at www.hungerhike.org. Individuals and group may still sign up to participate and business may still become event sponsors.

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Hunger Hike

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 17 & Sunday, September  18, 2016.

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 which dates back to the mid-1960s, 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.”

Purdue Coaches Team Up to Fight Hunger

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Purdue Coaches Team Up to Fight Hunger — Hunger Hike 2016

cochairs
Dave Kucik, Sharon Versyp & Dave Shondell — Hunger Hike Honorary Co-chairs

LogoWest Lafayette, IN – Three prominent Purdue coaches have teamed up to fight hunger by participating and promoting Hunger Hike 2016. Coaches Sharon Versyp (women’s basketball), Dave Shondell (women’s volleyball) & Dave Kucik (rowing & crew) will be speaking out about the issues of hunger in Indiana and encouraging participation in one of the longest running, most well respected fundraising events — Hunger Hike.

Join us for this event; details are as follows:

  • Date: Wednesday, August 24
  • Time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Place: Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette

The Hunger Hike updates which will be announced are as follows:

  • HONORARY CO-CHAIRS: 2016 Co-chairs will offer remarks and be available for questions and one-on-one interviews
    • Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s Basketball head coach
    • David Kucik, Purdue Rowing & Crew Team head coach
    • Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball head coach
  • Hunger Hike
    • Kick-off Event — Sunday, September 18, 2 p.m., Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette
    • Hunger Hike 5K Run – Saturday, September 17, 9 a.m., Celery Bog Nature Area (Cattail Trail Loop), Cumberland Avenue, West Lafayette
  • EVENT SPONSORS (to date): Diamond Level — Walmart & Sam’s Club;
    Gold Level — Alcoa, Inc., The Kroger Co., Cook Medical, and Bison Financial Group

Representatives from the three sponsoring organizations, Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. & St. Thomas Aquinas Center,  will be available for questions and one-on-one interviews.

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Hunger Hike

For more information on Hunger Hike 2016, please visit our website at www.hungerhike.org.

Contacts:

Joe Micon
Executive Director
Lafayette Urban Ministry
765.423.2691
jmicon@lumserve.org

Katy Bunder
Executive Director
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.
765.471.0062
kbunder@food-finders.org

Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP
Pastor, Director of Campus Ministry
St. Thomas Aquinas Center
765.743.4652
fatherpatrick@boilercatholics.org

More information:

  • Indiana Hunger Statistics
    • 15.5 percent in the state in 2015 said they were unable to afford enough food
    • One of every 6 children in Indiana is at risk of hunger
    • Proper nutrition is vital to the growth and development of children
    • Research indicates that even mild under-nutrition experienced by children during critical periods of growth impacts behavior, school performance, and their overall cognitive development
  • 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 17 & Sunday, September  18, 2016.
  • 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.”
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Hunger Hike