Hunger Hike– Celebration & 1.5K Walk – Sunday September 17
Hunger Hike is an annual community fundraising event whose mission is to raise the awareness of and make a difference in the Fight Against Hunger. Hunger Hike is open to participants of all ages and abilities who share a common goal: Fighting Hunger!
The Hunger Hike main event is our annual celebration at Riehle Plaza — immediately followed by the traditional Hunger Hike 1.5K Walk.
Special Thanks to our Event Sponsors! Take the time to THANK all of our event sponsors — and support their businesses, please. Hunger Hike event sponsors, list HERE.
Volunteer
Hunger Hike events need dozens of volunteers. Please consider helping. Learn more HERE.
Hunger Hike Photos – To view all of the Hunger Hike photos through the years, click HERE
Here are ten facts about hunger in Haiti, the poorest country in the northern hemisphere.
Two and a half million Haitians live in extreme poverty. Haiti is the poorest country in the northern hemisphere.
Two out of three Haitians live on less than US$2 per day.
Ten percent of the richest Haitians possess 70 percent of the country’s total income.
Fifty percent of urban Haitians are unemployed.
Shocks induced by climate change threaten over 500,000 Haitians every year.
Although agriculture is an important sector of Haiti’s economy, the country fails to produce enough food, and imports more than 50 percent for its population’s needs. It imports 80 percent of its main staple: rice.
Ninety percent of farmers depend on rain for their harvest as only ten percent of the crops are irrigated.
One-hundred thousand children under five years of age suffer from acute malnutrition, while one in three children is stunted, or irreversibly short for their age.
Less than 50 percent of households have access to safe water and only 25 percent benefit from adequate sanitation.
One-third of Haitian women and children are anemic.
Baudin, Haiti
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’ Haiti Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project.
Hunger Hike 2015 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 2015 – Haiti Pastor visits Hunger Hike team
West Lafayette, IN – Hunger Hike 2015 supports the fight against hunger locally through LUM, regionally through Food Finders, and globally through the Haiti Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas.
On Monday, August 24th, the pastor of the parish in Baudin, Haiti is making a rare visit to the Lafayette area and will be meeting with the Hunger Hike team to update us on their current situation and issues as well as the impact Hunger Hike has on the people of Haiti. Father Charles, the pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church in the Diocese of Jacmel, Haiti, will be available for question/answer and individual interviews. Fr. Charles will be joined by the St. Tom’s Haiti Committee members who will share their plans for upcoming visits to Haiti. Representatives from the three sponsoring organizations (Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. & St. Thomas Aquinas Center) will also be in attendance.
Details are as follows:
Date: Monday, August 24
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Newman Hall, St. Thomas Aquinas Center, 535 W State Street, West Lafayette
FREE & Open to the Public
Hunger Hike is an annual Fall community fundraising weekend which includes the
Baudin, Haiti
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’ Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project.
Hunger Hike 2015 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 2015 is about a month away but funds are starting to trickle in. Several local Corporations have already made donations; and a Solicitation Letter has recently been put in the US mail to individual Hunger Hike supporters. (See above — the Hunger Hike team worked diligently to get this mailer put together and in the mail.) Special thanks to Instant Copy (Lafayette) for donating all of the printing.
You can even give to Hunger Hike at all of your favorite local Subway restaurants — that all have collection boxes set up for their customers (like you) to donate to Hunger Hike. Oh — and there’s one at Jane’s Deli too.
Have YOU started fundraising for Hunger Hike yet?
To reach our goal of $100,000 — we really need YOUR participation. Here is how you can get started in the Fight Against Hunger with Hunger Hike 2015.
Hunger Hike is a community fundraising event whose mission is to Raise Awareness & Make a Difference in the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally, & globally. Hunger Hike benefits the Lafayette Urban Ministry Food Programs, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. &
St. Thomas Aquinas’ Haiti Ministry.
Hunger Hike is a perfect fundraising event for team or group — like a church group, student organization, organization or your entire family. Form a Hunger Hike team and start raising money for Hunger Hike using our online fundraising site — or any way you choose.
We hope you’ll consider joining our Fight against Hungerat Hunger Hike 2015.
If you are a company owner — you also may become a Hunger Hike event sponsor. If interested, email hungerhike@lumserve.org.
This year Hunger Hike 2015 offers an opportunity for runners to also be a part of the fight against hunger — the HH5K Run — on Saturday, September 19th, one day prior to Hunger Hike (traditional 3K Walk). The HH5K Run is open to runners of all ages and abilities who share a common goal: Fighting Hunger!
The annual HH5K Run will convene at White Horse Christian Center (1780 Cumberland Avenue, West Lafayette) with start/finish in the Celery Bog Nature Area. The 5K route allows participants to run while a scenic route through West Lafayette in early autumn.
Advanced Registration is encouraged but race day walk-ups are welcome.
All HH5K Run 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’ Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project.
Be a part of the Hunger Hike 5K Run and Race to Feed the Hungry. For more information, route map & online registration form, click HERE.
Mark your calendars for Hunger Hike 2015 – Hike to Feed the Hungry
Hunger Hike is an annual community fundraising event whose mission is to raise the awareness of and make a difference in the fight against hunger. Hunger Hike is open to participants of all ages and abilities who share a common goal: Fighting Hunger!
The Hunger Hike keystone event is the opening ceremonies on Sunday — immediately followed by the traditional Hunger Hike 3K Walk. Hunger Hike also includes a 5K Run on Saturday morning.
The details of the Hunger Hike events are as follows:
Hunger Hike 3K Walk Date: Sunday, September 20, 2015 Time: Noon – check-in; 2 p.m. – Hunger Hike 3K Walk starts Place: Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette
HH5K Run Date: Saturday, September 19, 2015 Time: 8:00-8:45 a.m. check-in; 9:00 a.m. race starts Place: West Lafayette Trail System Registration Cost: $30 includes T-Shirt
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’ Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project.
It’s an opportunity to support these outstanding local organizations while enjoying a meaningful community event.
This year’s Hunger Hike raised more money to date than all past Hunger Hike events. Hunger Hike 2014 this past weekend was filled with excitement, energy and good will. The weather was perfect for both the HH5K Run on Saturday and the Hunger Hike Kick-off event and 3K Walk on Sunday. Hundreds of caring individuals walked, ran, hiked, and donated funds to the Fight Against Hunger.
Thus far approximately $95,000 has been pledged and donated to Hunger Hike — which exceeds ALL past years for the amount of money raised.
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 National Anthem sung by Janelle Davis & Annalise Drake from the Harrison High School Performing Arts Program, Zumba with Emily from Parkwest Fitness — and closing with a Hot Dog & Chips picnic for all participants — and music throughout the entire event by DJ Powder from Rat Pak Mobile DJs.
The plaza was also filled with information tables focused on the issues of hunger, voter registration available courtesy of the League of Women Voters, face-painting from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, and massages from Essential Touch Massage. 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, the Purdue Crew Team, Purdue Women’s Basketball Team, and Purdue Volleyball Team led the hikers to the route along the Wabash Heritage Trail. The event was successful in bringing much needed attention to the battle against malnutrition, food insecurity and hunger.
Stayed tuned for the results for the following Hunger Hike awards: Top Individual Fundraiser, Top Church Fundraiser, 2nd Highest Church Fundraiser, & Top Team Fundraiser (non-church). Along with these winners — next week the Hunger Hike Heroes will be announced — those individuals who participated in both the HH5K Run and the Hunger Hike 3K Walk.
Hunger Hike 2014 Acknowledgements
left to right, standing, are West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, K105 Radio’s Shamus, Purdue Women’s Basketball Coach & Hunger Hike Co-chair Sharon Versyp, Gerald Thomas from Food Finders, Fr. Patrick Baikauskas from St. Thomas Aquinas Center, Joe Micon from Lafayette Urban Ministry; and in the front row: Purdue Crew Coach & Hunger Hike Co-chair Dave Kucik and Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker.
Just before hundreds of Hunger Hikers hit the Wabash Heritage Trail for the 3K Walk, several local dignitaries shared their excitement and offered remarks on the importance of this event.
Our Hunger Hike dignitaries were West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, K105 Radio’s Shamus, Purdue Women’s Basketball Coach & Hunger Hike Co-chair Sharon Versyp, Gerald Thomas from Food Finders, Fr. Patrick Baikauskas from St. Thomas Aquinas Center, Joe Micon from Lafayette Urban Ministry, Purdue Crew Coach & Hunger Hike Co-chair Dave Kucik and Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker.
Special thanks to all of our dignitaries and K105 Radio for their continued support of Hunger Hike.
You may recall that last year’s Hunger Hike event fell significantly short of its fundraising goal. It was only through the concern, effort and generosity of people like you, that we were finally able to meet and exceed that goal in early December – a full two months after the event.
Since that time, Hunger Hike’s three sponsors – Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank and St. Thomas Aquinas Center’s Haitian Relief Ministry – have been hard at work proactively reorganizing our Hunger Hike fundraising efforts so as not to have a repeat of last year’s results.
We have been working so hard, that we recently announced to the community that we believe Hunger Hike has the capacity to raise $125,000 this year – a full 30% more than our 2013 goal!
There is so much new energy and enthusiasm in place for Hunger Hike that we are already looking forward to what a successful event might mean for our efforts to feed the hungry.
At the Lafayette Urban Ministry, the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry will extend its hours and be open on Saturdays in addition to its current operating hours during the week.
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. would be able to expand its Mobile Pantry program to fight hunger when and where it is needed the most.
St. Tom’s Haiti Ministry would spend additional funds to further develop their pilot program of providing Haitian people with seeds that survive a variety of weather conditions. They will also expand their water purification
We know that you have been a generous supporter of Hunger Hike in the past and we hope that you will join us in our effort to expand Hunger Hike’s impact during 2014.
First of all, you can help by circling the following dates on your calendar…
Hunger Hike 5K Run — Saturday, September 20, 8:00 a.m., West Lafayette’s Cumberland Park
Hunger Hike 3K Walk — Sunday, September 21, 2:00 p.m., Levee Plaza Parking lot in West Lafayette
You can also help by making a generous gift to Hunger Hike, right now, prior to the event.
Your gift of $35, $50, $100, $250, $500, or more, will allow our three sponsor organizations to expand their programs, respond to pressing need and better fulfill their missions of feeding hungry children and strengthening families who are experiencing food insecurity.
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 $1.5 million dollars have been raised, providing a critical social safety net to thousands of hungry children and adults.
We hope you will join us again this year by running a little faster, walking a little farther – and digging a little deeper. Help us to meet the new and urgent challenges that face us each day on the front lines in the fight against hunger.
Can we hear from you today? Make out your check to “Hunger Hike” and send it to LUM – or give online at www.HungerHike.org
Gratefully,
Joe Micon Executive Director Lafayette Urban Ministry
Rev. Patrick Baikauskas Pastor/Director of Campus Ministries St. Thomas Aquinas – the Catholic Center at Purdue
Katy Bunder Executive Director Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.
PS Please help us to reach Hunger Hike’s expanded goal of $125,000 so that our three sponsor organizations can better respond to the needs of those who come to us for food. Place your gift of $35, $50, $100, $250, $500, or more, into the enclosed envelope and return it today. You may also give online at www.HungerHike.org.
How much should I donate? One helpful suggestion is to consider a donation equal to 10% of your monthly food budget or the cost of fast food meals for a month. To donate to Hunger Hike, click HERE.
Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.
Hunger Hike is this Sunday, September 15th — So, go to www.HungerHike.org, create a fundraising page, and help us make this the biggest Hunger Hike ever. Hunger is a fight that takes each and every one of us to battle — and Hunger Hike makes it easy and fun.
The time is NOW for you to get a group together for Hunger Hike 2013. Gather your group, create your team’s fundraising page online, and start collecting donations for Hunger Hike TODAY! All you will need to get started may be found at www.HungerHike.org.
There are lots of ways to participate!
HIKE! Organize a Team of friends, athletic team members, club members, fellow parishioners, family or co-workers
HIKE! Create your personal fundraising page and distribute it to your contacts via email and social media
HIKE! Collect donations from sponsors and bring to registration on the day of the Hunger Hike
Donate to Hunger Hike on-line, click HERE & designate “Hunger Hike”
Sponsor a Hiker — go to their fundraising page and donate to a Hiker or Team
How does the Hunger Hike help?
Hikers and their sponsors help meet the needs of hungry families in greater Lafayette, surrounding counties and Haiti. Donations go to food programs at the Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, and St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry. Thousands of low income families depend on these programs for food security. What should I know about hunger?
There are 870 million people in the world who do not eat enough to be healthy. That’s one in eight. (United Nations World Food Programme)
At least 15% of American households are food insecure. (USDA Economic Research Service)
Over 9,000 (43%) Tippecanoe County school children receive free or reduced price lunches. (Indiana Youth Institute)
Food Finders Food Bank distributes more than 6 million pounds of food annually to Tippecanoe and 15 surrounding counties.
At $250 per capita income, 80% of the rural Haitian population lives in poverty. (World Bank)
The St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry serves 2,000 Tippecanoe County residents every month.
How much should I donate? One helpful suggestion is to consider a donation equal to 10% of your monthly food budget or the cost of fast food meals for a month. To donate to Hunger Hike, click HERE.
Sign up today to raise money for Hunger Hike — create an online fundraising page, click HERE.
Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.
Hunger
This year 
