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Hunger Hike 2023 Triumphs Despite Rain

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Hunger Hike Crushes Goal – $113,000 & Counting

Despite the rain, the Hunger Hike fundraiser carried on with spirited determination, and the results were nothing short of spectacular! The turnout was remarkable, demonstrating the incredible support from our community. It was heartwarming to see a range of participants, from Zumba enthusiasts to Purdue Pete, elected officials, religious leaders & groups, local businesses, school groups, and the Purdue Crew Team, all coming together for this important cause. The day was filled with joy, music, popsicles, a delightful hot dog picnic, clowns, face painting, princesses, and even soothing massages – a true celebration of unity and compassion.

Even more astonishing, the fundraiser didn’t just meet its goal – it exceeded it! With a goal of $110,000 in mind, Hunger Hike is thrilled to announce that a total of $113,000 has been raised so far. This incredible generosity will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the fight against hunger. But the good news doesn’t stop there – donations are still welcome! Every additional contribution will further strengthen our mission to combat hunger and support those in need in our community.

A heartfelt thank you to all who participated, donated, and made Hunger Hike a resounding success. Your kindness and dedication inspire us to continue this vital work, rain or shine. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of others and taking significant strides in ending hunger. To view more PHOTOS, click HERE.



2022 – News Archive

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Hunger Hike – News & Updates:


September 15, 2022 – Hunger Hike Kick Off Event – THIS Sunday

September 1, 2022 – Hunger Hike 2022 – 17 Days to Kick Off

August 25, 2022 – LUM Has Big Plans for the Fall & Winter

May 19, 2022 – Hunger Hike – Needed Now More Than Ever


Hunger Hike in the News:


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Hunger Facts – 2022

HUNGER HIKE – Did you know?

General Facts/Statistics

  • According to the USDA, the price of food purchased to eat at home increased 12.2% from June 2021 to June 2022. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings/
  • According to the Washington Post, average rents in Tippecanoe County have increased 10.8% since 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/rising-rent-prices/
  • 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.

Child Hunger Facts/Stats

  • According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 Hoosiers struggle with hunger.  Among Hoosier children, the number is 1 in 6. Feeding America – IN (feedingamericaaction.org)
  • 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.

Senior Hunger Facts/Stats

  • 12.7% of seniors in Indiana struggle with food insecurity –  2022-senior-report-state-summaries.pdf (americashealthrankings.org)
  • 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 

2021 – News Archive

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Hunger Hike – News & Updates:

September 16, 2021 – Hunger Hike Kick Off Event – THIS Sunday


Hunger Hike in the News:


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2020 – News Archive


Hunger Hike – News & Updates:

September 24, 2020 – Hunger Hike 2020 Crushed This Year’s Goal

September 17, 2020 – Hunger Hike is HERE – Livestream on SUNDAY

August 6, 2020 – LUM Camp 2020 Recap & More

September 10, 2020 – Hunger Hike, Double Your Donation & Interns

July 30, 2020 – News About Fall LUM Programs

July 16, 2020 – LUM Programs Persist & Thrive in 2020


Hunger Hike in the News:


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  • To view click on the year: 2012 2013 | 2014  2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
  • Hunger Hike 2019 Teams Up with Purdue Coaches


    Purdue Coaches Versyp & Kucik – Fighting Hunger

    Two prominent Purdue Coaches announced last week that they will be teaming up with Hunger Hike to join the Fight Against Hunger.
    This year’s Honorary Hunger Hike Co-chairs are Coach Sharon Versyp (women’s basketball) & Coach Dave Kucik (rowing & crew). Both are passionate 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 $100,000.
    Coach Versyp & Coach Kucik, the 2019 Hunger Hike Co-chairs, are pictured above with the representatives from the three sponsoring organizations — Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. & St. Thomas Aquinas Center — who also share how important this annual fundraiser is to funding the food programs necessary to addressing the needs of the families in our community, regionally 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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    2019 – News Archive


    Hunger Hike – News & Updates:

    October 1, 2019 – Texas Roadhouse Donates 20% to Hunger Hike


    September 26, 2019 – Hunger Hike 2019 – Spirited & Passionate Crowd

    September 19, 2019 – Hunger Hike is THIS Sunday — Join the Cause


    August 27, 2019 – Hunger Hike – Fighting Hunger with Heart & Sole

    August 27, 2019 – Become an Event Sponsor


    Hunger Hike in the News:


    Archive of eNewsletters & LUM in the News

    Current News


    Hunger Hike – News & Updates:


    Hunger Hike in the News:


    PHOTOS


    Archive of eNewsletters & LUM in the News

    2023

    September 14, 2023 – Hunger Hike Kick Off Event – THIS Sunday

    September 7, 2023 – Hunger Hike Countdown – Only 10 Days Away

    2017 – News Archive


    Hunger Hike – News & Updates:

    December 15, 2017 – Second Year Hunger Hike Tops $110,000

    • Hunger Hike 2017 Raises $110,083

    October 21, 2017 – Hunger Hike – Dining for $$ – TODAY – ALL DAY

    • Panda Express

    October 18, 2017 –  Hunger Hike – Dining for $$ – THIS SATURDAY

    • Panda Express

    October 3, 2017 – Hunger Hike – Dining for $$

    • TOMORROW – Get Your Burrito at Chipotle

    September 26, 2017 – Hunger Hike – Dining for $$

    • THIS Thursday – Get Your Stir Fry at HuHOT
    • NEXT Wednesday – Get Your Burrito at CHIPOTLE
    • More – Dine Out for Hunger Hike – Dates
    • Volunteer at the Great Pumpkin Patch
    • Hunger Hike – Make a Difference TODAY

    September 22, 2017 – Hunger Hike – Dining for $$

    • TOMORROW – Get Your Fro-yo at RED MANGO
    • THURSDAY – Get Your Stir Fry at HuHOT
    • More – Dine Out for Hunger Hike – Dates
    • Volunteer at the Great Pumpkin Patch
    • Hunger Hike – Make a Difference TODAY

    September 19, 2017 – THIS WEEK – Hunger Hike – Dining for $$

    • THIS Thursday – Dine at Texas Roadhouse
    • THIS Saturday – Get Your Fro-yo at RED MANGO
    • More – Dine Out for Hunger Hike – Dates
    • Volunteer at the Great Pumpkin Patch
    • Hunger Hike – Make a Difference TODAY

    September 15, 2017 – Hunger Hike 25 is THIS WEEKEND

    • Hunger Hike 25 Weekend Schedule
    • Hunger Hike – Make a Difference TODAY
    • More Ways to Support HUNGER HIKE 2017
    • Volunteer at the Great Pumpkin Patch

    September 8, 2017 – Hunger Hike Countdown = 9 Days

    • Runners Needed – To Fight Hunger – HH5K Run
    • More Ways to Support HUNGER HIKE 2017
    • Dine Out for Hunger Hike – Save the Dates
    • Hunger Hike – Start Fundraising Today

    August 23, 2017 – Media Event TOMORROW (8/24, 10:50 a.m.)

    • Hunger Hike Celebrates 25th Anniversary & Purdue Coaches are On Board to Fight Hunger
    • More Hunger Hike Information

    August 21, 2017 – Hunger Hike 2017 – Get Started Today

    • Needed: Hikers, Walkers, Runner & Teams
    • 7 Things You Can Do NOW to Help
    • Hunger Hike’s Sponsoring Organizations

    August 11, 2017 – Countdown to Hunger Hike


    July 14, 2017 – Hunger Hike 2017 – Sunday, September 17


    Hunger Hike in the News:


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    Hunger Hike 2018 – Beautiful Weekend for a Hike


    Fighting Hunger with Our Hearts & Soles!


    Hunger Hike participants gathered this past Sunday to to raise awareness and funds for food programs locally, regionally & globally — through the good work of Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. and the Haiti Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas.

    The weather was perfect — and the “hike” along the Wabash River was pleasant and picturesque. The Kick-off event was highlighted by an inspiring keynote from Race Johnson, Purdue Football alumnus as well as remarks from our two Honorary Co-chairsDave Kucik, Purdue Crew & Rowing coach, and Nadine Morgan (for Sharon Versyp), Purdue Women’s Basketball coach. Remarks were also offered by Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, West Lafayette City Council President Peter Bunder, Tippecanoe County Council President Tom Murtaugh and by Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry; Fr. Patrick Baikauskas OP, St. Thomas Aquinas Center; and Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. — our sponsoring organizations.

    It began with the crowd cheering with the Purdue Cheerleaders & Purdue Pete and participating in Zumba with Miss Brooke & Kasie from Studio b Dance & Fitness. The US National Anthem was then sung by Jay Alan, Harrison High School senior and YouTube sensation. Throughout the entire event, there was live music by DJ Powder of Rat Pak Mobile DJsface-painting & balloon animals from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, massages by Lee Anne Akers of Essential Touch Massage, and Voter Registration.

    After a blessing from Fr. Patrick Baikauskas OP, the “hikers” were led by Purdue Pete, Purdue Cheerleaders, Purdue Crew Team and Purdue Women’s Basketball Team up the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge and along the Wabash Heritage Trail. Hunger Hike concluded with a Celebration Picnic with hot dogs, chips & bottled water (courtesy of Texas Roadhouse, Sam’s Club & Aqua Systems).

    Hunger Hike for the 26th straight year was successful in bringing much needed attention & funds to the battle against malnutrition, food insecurity & hunger — locally, regionally & globally.

    Thanks to all who participated, raised funds, volunteered and donated.


    Hunger Hike 2018 – QUICK LINKS:

    • Photos – Hunger Hike 5K Run
    • Photos – HH5K Run – Runners
    • Photos – Hunger Hike Kick-off event & 3K Walk
    • Results – HH5K Run by Category
    • Results – HH5K Run Overall

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