Category Archives: St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry

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 2015 Raises $101,282

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Hunger Hike Exceeds 2015 Fundraising Goal

At a HH Logocelebration this past Monday, it was announced that Hunger Hike 2015 not only raised a record amount but also exceeded the 2015 fundraising goal. For the first time in the 50 year history of Hunger Hike — the amount raised exceeded $100,000. The total is $100,282 in cash donations plus $1,000 in donations of gift cards.

Special thanks to the Lafayette Life Foundation for our final 2015 donation of $5,000 which took us over top.

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

Hunger Hike was also blessed with donations from many local companies. The top event sponsor donations this year were as follows:

On hand for the celebration were two of the Hunger Hike honorary co-chairs —

  • Coach Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s 2016-01-04 Hunger Hike Celebration 052 borderBasketball and
  • Coach David Kucik, Purdue Crew {pictured above};
  • representatives for the City of Lafayette, St. Tom’s, Good Shepherd;
  • as well as event sponsors:
    • Steven Wien, Bison Financial Group &
    • Kelli Luttrell, Alcoa {pictured right}.

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

Hunger Hike 2015 raised a grand total of $101,282

($1,000 in gift cards), with each organization receiving $33,760.

The proceeds from Hunger Hike 2015 will have a tremendous & immedi2016-01-04 Hunger Hike Celebration 050 borderate 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 17 & 18, 2016. More information may be found on the Hunger Hike website at www.hungerhike.org.

If you wish to become a Hunger Hike 2016 event sponsor, please call or email Joe Micon (765-423-2691 | jmicon@lumserve.org).

If you wish to make an individual donation to Hunger Hike, click HERE.

More photos from the recent Hunger Hike celebration may be found HERE.

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Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike Updates & Announcements

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Hunger Hike Updates on construction, new 5K route, honorary co-chairs & event sponsors

HH logo 2014 SQ no borderWest Lafayette, IN – Hunger Hike 2015 is coming up quickly — and a lot has happened in the last few days. Please join us for this Media Event to hear updates on construction, new 5K route, honorary co-chairs & event sponsors. Details are as follows:

  • Date: Tuesday, September 8
  • Time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Place: Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette

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

  • CONSTRUCTION – Due to new construction schedules on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge, 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).
  • HONORARY CO-CHAIRS – 2015 Co-chairs will offer remarks and be available for 2013-09-15-hungerhike2013-059-2questions 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 5K Run – Saturday, September 19
    • Hunger Hike is the FIRST official 5K Run on the NEW Cattail Trail Loop in West Lafayette. Mayor John Dennis & Janet Fawley, West Lafayette Parks & Recreation Department Superintendent will make remarks and be available to answer questions.
    • CELEBRITY RUNNERS – Announcement of the HH 5K Run celebrity runners
      • Joe Micon, executive director, LUM
      • Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP – pastor/director of campus ministries, St. Thomas Aquinas Center, West Lafayette
      • Shamus, co-host of the K105 Shamus & Annie Show
      • Rev. Bradley Pace, pastor, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette
  • EVENT SPONSORS — Gold & Silver Level event sponsors will be announced. To date those include Alcoa, Inc., Bison Financial Group, and Evonik Corporation – Tippecanoe Laboratories.

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.

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

benefactors horizontalContacts:
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:IMG_1573 (2) (1280x1280)

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 Launches New Website

Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, , , , , , ,

Hunger Hike 2015 has recently launched a new website — just in time for the September rush of fundraising activity.

website screen shot

The new website offers the latest technology to our participants to do everything online 24/7. It also includes tools for individuals who like to do their Hunger Hike fundraising the “old school” way — using sign-up sheets and going door-to-door.

The features of the new Hunger Hike are as follows:

  • Hunger Hike fundraising
    • Donate online through PayPal using PayPal account or credit card
    • Create an online fundraising page — write personalized messages and use direct email and social media posts to solicit donations from friends and relatives — who follow your hyperlink and donate online
    • Create or join a TEAM online — and use direct email and social media posts to solicit donations — which may be made online
    • Collection Form — download the Hunger Hike collection form and raise & collect funds face to face
    • Donate to a specific Hunger Hike “hiker” or “team” online
  • HH5K Run
    • Register and pay fee online
    • Train for the 5K using our online route map
  • Volunteer — sign up to volunteer for either Saturday or Sunday using our online sign-up page, which sends reminders three days and one day before the day.
  • Promote Hunger Hike by downloading the flyer and posting at your work or school
  • Event Sponsors – Support a Hunger Hike event sponsor using our online list
  • Honorary Co-chairs – Learn more about our 2015 Honorary Co-chairs, sponsoring organizations, and history of Hunger Hike
  • Photos – The latest photos and news on Hunger Hike – read and subscribe to our blog

The NEW Hunger Hike website makes it easier to participate in Hunger Hike and get information quickly and conveniently. We encourage everyone to use the Hunger Hike website to raise the maximum amount of money for this important cause.

For more information on Hunger Hike 2015, please visit and explore our new 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

Additional Information

HH LogoHunger 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.”

###

Photos

Food Pantry, Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Check out the photos from Hunger Hike:

Hunger Hike 2019

Honorary Co-Chairs

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Dr. Anne Marie Edwards | Director | Black Cultural Center, Purdue University

Dr. Anne Marie Edwards serves as the director of the Purdue University Black Cultural Center.  Prior to this role, she held various roles in higher education including her most recent role as the director of the Center for Black Studies at Northern Illinois University. She received a B.S. and M.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University and worked in the hospitality industry for several years until returning to school to obtain an M.B.A. from Valparaiso University. She earned a doctorate in educational psychology in August of 2021 where her emphasis centered Black women and identity development in the higher education environment. Her other research interests include topics around race, motivation, leadership, and career development. Dr. Edwards is interested in ways of making research accessible to the public. Dr. Edwards is an active member of the Association of Black Culture Centers (ABCC), National Council for Black Studies (NCBS), NASPA, and her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has presented at ABCC, NCBS, MWERA, NASPA, ACPA, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALAH) and at the International Self-Determination theory conference.  Dr. Edwards is one of the co-hosts of the podcast Blkwomynvoices, a biweekly show about Black womyn and higher education.

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Nathan Walker | Director of Programs and Facilities & Head Men’s Coach | Purdue Rowing & Crew Team

Nathan began his rowing career at Purdue in 2000, was voted Most Valuable Oarsman twice (’03, ’04) and stroked the V8 in 2004 to a 2nd place finish at the Dad Vail Regatta. Since graduating from college Nathan has coached high school, college, and masters rowers all across the country, including serving as the Head Novice Men’s Coach at Purdue, a Masters Women’s Coach at Alexandria Community Rowing Club, the Head Coach at Fairfax High School, the Director of Rowing at The College of William and Mary, the Head Men’s Coach at Norcal Crew, and most recently the Director of Rowing at Culver Academies before being hired back at his alma mater Purdue. He has coached crews to medals at Dad Vails, ACRAs, Head of the Charles, Youth Nationals, and Scholastic Nationals, and coached athletes to spots on the U19, U23, and Senior National Teams.

MORE.

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Resources

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Hunger Hike Resources — Quick Links

Hunger Hike Fundraising

  • Fundraiser – Registration Form – click HERE 
  • Launch Page – click HERE
  • Donate to Hunger Hike – click HERE
  • Collection Form (PDF) – click HERE

Promotional Materials – More coming soon

— Feel free to use anything below to promote Hunger Hike and your Hunger Hike team’s fundraising efforts.

  • Hunger Hike Photos – HERE
  • Logo – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Flier (8.5″x11″) PDF – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Postcard PDF – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Handouts (5.5″x8.5″) PDF – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Poster PDF – | 11″x17″ | 
  • Bulletin/Newsletter Insert 2-sided (8.5″x11″) PDF – HERE
  • Bulletin/Newsletter Announcement PDF – HERE 
  • Social Media
    • Facebook Banner/Cover Photo JPG – HERE
    • Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Ad Photo JPG – HERE

Other Information

  • Sponsoring Organizations – HERE
  • Event Sponsors – HERE
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Sponsoring Organizations

Food Pantry, Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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All Hunger Hike proceeds benefit the Lafayette Urban Ministry Food Programs, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. & St. Thomas Aquinas’ Haiti Ministry. Learn more about the Hunger Hike sponsoring organizations.

Lafayette Urban Ministry

The Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) is an organization of more than 47 churches that serves as a social safety net for Lafayette’s needy children and families.

For more than 50 years, LUM has worked to give back the hope, the future, and the self-respect to low-income people in the Greater Lafayette area. LUM takes an active role in trying to change social injustices and improve the quality of life for the poor of Indiana.

Website | 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901 | (765) 423-2691

STA Haiti

Haiti Ministry – St. Thomas Aquinas Center

Several times a year, the Haiti Committee at St. Thomas Aquinas travel to St. Francis Xavier Church in Baudin, Haiti. St. Tom’s has over the decades offer medical treatment, administered medicine, improved the quality of water, assisted with strategies to grow food, store food and produce and store seeds.

St. Thomas Aquinas serves as the Catholic Center at Purdue University. The parish engages the youthful energy of all its members to nurture their faith journey across all generations through liturgy, spiritual and intellectual formation, stewardship, and justice with peace. They joyfully welcome all who wish to meet life’s challenges through lived faith in Jesus Christ.

Website | 535 W State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906 | (765) 743-4652

Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.

FFFB

Since 1981, Food Finders Food Bank has been a critical component of the welfare of Tippecanoe and 15 surrounding counties in Indiana: providing food to member agencies, advocating for the hungry, and educating the public about hunger-related issues.

Funded by United Way, foundations, grants, the USDA, corporations, sponsors, and individual donors, Food Finders Food Bank annually distributes more than 7 million pounds of food to a network of non-profit organizations that work to alleviate hunger throughout north central Indiana.

Website | 1204 Greenbush Street, Lafayette, IN 47904 | (765) 471-0062

Event Sponsors

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Event Sponsor – 2024

Here are our Hunger Hike 2024 event sponsors. Please thank them for joining the Fight Against Hunger —  and support their businesses, please.

If you’re interested in becoming a 2024 Hunger Hike event sponsor, please call or email us (765-423-2691 | info@hungerhike.org).

Diamond Level – $5,000 – $9,999

Gold Level  – $2,000 – $4,999

Silver Level – $1,000 – $1,999

Bronze Level – $500 – $999

Friend Level – $300 – $499

In Kind Gifts & Services

Wish to be a Hunger Hike Event Sponsor?

If so, please call or email us (765-423-2691 | info@hungerhike.org).

Volunteer

Food Pantry, Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Donate
Volunteer
Start Fundraising
Support a Team or Hiker

Hunger Hike relies on dozens of volunteers for the Hunger Hike Kick-off event & walk and more. Please consider becoming a Hunger Hike volunteer as well as a Hunger Hike fundraiser. Sign up to volunteer online, click HERE.

Volunteer Sign Up – Hunger Hike
  • Hunger Hike (1.5K Walk) – Volunteers Sign up HERE
    • Set up, Check in, Water distribution, Route guides, Break down & more

Thank you.

Hunger Hike 2014 - BR - 006 (2) (1024x445)