Tag Archives: St. John’s

LUM Distributes 2014 Hunger Hike Proceeds, Thanks Community for Their Generosity

December 21, 2014Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUMfood finders, food pantry, haiti mission, homelessness, Joe Micon, katy bunder, lafayette indiana, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, patrick baikauskas, purdue, purdue crew, purdue womens basketball, sharon versyp, st thomas, St. John'sLafayette Urban Ministry

Hunger Hike 2014 raised over $95,000 — Setting a New Record!

On Sunday, September 21, 2014, hundreds of Hunger Hike participants helped raise over $95,000 to meet the needs of hungry families in the Lafayette-West Lafayette area and overseas. Hunger Hike supports the Lafayette Urban Ministry’s food programs, Food Finders Food Bank and St. Thomas Aquinas’ Haiti Ministry.

Last week, LUM Executive Director, Joe Micon, distributed the checks to the benefactors. On hand to accept for Food Finder Food Bank, Inc. was Katy Bunder, Executive Director; and for St. Thomas Aquinas Center, Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, Pastor and Director of Campus Ministry. Hunger Hike 2014 had over 1000 organizations, businesses and individuals involved in fundraising and making donations; over 900 hikers, walkers, and runners; and over 200 volunteers engaged before, during and after the event.

Joe Micon stated that LUM will use the money to support the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry which provides emergency food for over 2200 individuals each and every month and recently expanded its hours to include Saturdays.

Katie Bunder stated that Food Finder Food Bank will use the money to support and expand existing programs like the Mobile Food Pantry and the Back Pack Program.

St. Thomas Aquinas will use the money to support their mission work in Haiti. Several times a year St. Thomas Aquinas provides opportunities for individuals including Purdue students to travel to Haiti and to provide needed work especially efforts to purify water for drinking and introduce more efficient farming techniques. St. Thomas had the largest group of Hikers and raised the most from donations to Hikers again this year.

Joe Micon gave special recognition to the Hunger Hike Honorary Chair, Sharon Versyp, coach of the Purdue Women’s Basketball and the team for role in promoting and for their support the day of Hunger Hike. Micon also thanked David Kucik, coach of the Purdue Crew and the teams for their support and for leading Hunger Hike each year. Micon acknowledged the behind the scenes work of the the entire LUM staff.

Hunger Hike was a great success and will have a tremendous positive impact on our community and the world. LUM announced that the tradition will continue in 2015 with the next Hunger Hike on Sunday, September 20 with the HH5K Run taking place on Saturday, September 19th.

The Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) is an organization of churches that serves as a social safety net for Lafayette’s needy children and families. For over 40 years, LUM has worked to give back the hope, the future, and the self-respect to low-income people in the Greater Lafayette area. We take an active role in trying to change social injustices and improve the quality of life for the poor of Indiana.

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 – the Catholic Center at Purdue
765.743.4652
fatherpatrick@boilercatholics.org

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To view the Video of the Hunger Hike Check Distribution Ceremony presentation, please click below:

To view Hunger Hike 2014 PHOTOS, click HERE.

To give to Hunger Hike 2015, click HERE.

Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.

Hunger Hike 2014 – Best Ever

September 25, 2014Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Member Churches, St. John's/LUM Food Pantryfood finders, food pantry, haiti ministry, haiti mission, harrison high, hh5k, hunger hike, Indiana, Joe Micon, lafayette indiana, lafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, parkwest fitness, st thomas, St. John's, west lafayette indiana, zumbaLafayette Urban Ministry

Hunger Hike 2014 – Most Raised in History – $95,000

It’s Still Not Too Late to DONATE to Hunger Hike 2014

To donate to a Hunger Hike TEAM, CHURCH team or individual fundraiser, click HERE
To donate directly to Hunger Hike 2014, click HERE
More information — go to www.hungerhike.org

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.

Hunger Hike 2014 Sponsors

Special Hunger Hike Thanks to our Top Sponsors.

Hunger Hike Gold Level:

Hunger Hike Silver Level:

Alcoa, Inc.
American Health Network
Endocyte, Inc.
Evonik Corporation -Tippecanoe Laboratories
Frito Lay
Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co.
Lafayette Savings Bank
Subway (Purdue/West Lafayette & more)
Tipmont REMC

Hunger Hike Bronze Level:

Bar Barry Liquors
Caterpillar, Inc.
Duke Energy
Instant Copy Printing
RatPak Mobile DJs
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
System Concepts & Consulting, Inc.
Wabash National Corporation
Wintek Corporation

Hunger Hike Friend Level:

Allure Dental
Aqua Systems
Awards Unlimited, Inc.
Essential Touch Massage
NeoVision Optical
Oscar Winski Co., Inc.
RamZs Emporium
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.
Speedpro Imaging
University Book Store
Williamson Eye Institute

Hunger Hike Photo Memories

Hunger Hike Photos — To view, click HERE
HH5K Run Photos — To view, click HERE

Special thanks to our official Hunger Hike photographers:

Melanie Papariella Arvin,
Brenton Russell &
Zoe Malavenda.

Share your photos from Hunger Hike weekend and use #HungerHike.

“Every step makes a difference in the fight against hunger.”

Locally-Regionally-Globally

hungerhike_benefactors

Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.

A Fond Farewell to Ron Smith

June 5, 2014Hunger Hike, Income Tax Assistance, Jubilee Christmas, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Uncategorizedfood pantry, hunger hike, Jubilee Christmas, lafayette indiana, lafayette urban ministry, lum, St. John's, tax assitance, west lafayette indianaLafayette Urban Ministry

Happy Retirement to Ron Smith — LUM Program Director

Ron Smith, LUM program director, was recognized at a special reception by co-workers, LUM board directors, family and friends. Balloons, cake, speeches & even a song were offered as Ron turns the page on his seven-year involvement with LUM. At LUM, Ron directed Hunger Hike and Jubilee Christmas, and assisted with the tax preparation program & St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry.

Ron shared that his first paycheck came when he was 10 years old. He also stated “My many years of military service, employment at Purdue and various businesses, then here at LUM have been a wonderful way to spend a career.” He said that during his years at LUM he met many wonderful new friends who will continue to enrich his life for years to come. Thank you, Ron, for your hard work on behalf of the many children and families served here at LUM. Blessing to you!

Pictured above from L to R: Seated—Ron Smith and his daughter, Elaine McFadden; Standing—Jeremiah Dole, Ron Hoffman, Linda Hicks, Joyce Fasani, Mary Anderson, Joe Micon, Susan Brouillette, & Sylvia Mohler.

Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.

Hunger Hike 2013 – Exceeds Goal

December 9, 2013Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Member Churches, St. John's/LUM Food Pantryfood finders, food pantry, haiti mission, hunger hike, Indiana, Joe Micon, lafayette indiana, lafayette urban ministry, lafayette-urban-ministry, lum, st thomas, St. John's, west lafayette indianaLafayette Urban Ministry

Hunger Hike 2013 Raises $92,685

Today at a media event at Lafayette Urban Ministry, the Hunger Hike 2013 committee was thrilled to announce that the $90,000 goal for this year has been reached.

The Hunger Hike committee has been working hard for the past three months to raise money for the event. It was announced on September 19^th that the fundraising for the Hunger Hike event held on Sunday, September 15, 2013, fell $30,000 short of the $90,000 goal. A decision was made following the event to extend the fundraising through December 1, 2013, in an attempt to reach that goal.

The goal was not only reach but it was exceeded. The Hunger Hike committee is pleased to announce that Hunger Hike 2013 raised $92,685.

Hunger Hike 2013 Acknowledgements

Special Thanks to the McAllister Foundation for their generous donation of $5000 to Hunger Hike 2013

The following companies and organizations donated $1000 toward Hunger Hike 2013:

Edocyte, Inc.
Evonik Degussa Corp.
Franciscan Alliance
Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co.
Global Impact/Alcoa Employees
Tipmont REMC
Sisters of St. Joseph
Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.
Subway
System Concepts & Consulting, Inc.
Walmart Foundation

The Hunger Hike Committee also wishes to thank and acknowledge the:

53 Hunger Hike 5K Run Donors
75 Hunger Hike Donors
38 Hunger Hike Sponsors

“Every step makes a difference in the fight against hunger.”

hungerhike_benefactors

Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.

Be a Virtual Runner in the HH5K

April 14, 2013Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Uncategorized5K, food finders, haiti mission, hunger hike, john myer, Lafayette, lafayette urban ministry, lum, st thomas, St. John's, wabach heritage trail, Wabash RiverLafayette Urban Ministry

Virtual Runners

Not a Runner or Walker?
Prefer your recliner to our 5K trail?
Out of Town and can’t participate?
Can’t get out of bed on Saturday morning but you still want to help?

Participate in the Hunger Hike 5K Run even if you’re Out of Town –prefer running on a treadmill – are not a runner – or just want to Sleep-in – and make a difference as a Hunger Hike 5K Virtual Runner. Virtual Runners will receive a Hunger Hike 5K T-shirt and will be listed in the final results as a supporter of the Hunger Hike 5K Run.

Pre-Registration cost is $25.00 and will be available until noon on Friday, April 19, 2013
Online Registration for the Hunger Hike 5K Run will close on Friday, April 19, 2013 at noon but race day walk-ups are always welcome.
On-site Registration cost is $30.00 — the day of the race from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m.
Extra Hunger Hike 5K Run T-shirts are available for $15.00 each.

All Hunger Hike 5K Run participants, Register Here!

More information on the Hunger Hike 5K Run — or to register as a Virtual Runner or (actual) participate, click HERE.

Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.

LUM Distributes 2012 Hunger Hike Proceeds, Thanks Community for Their Generosity

December 13, 2012Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUMdeb parent, food finders, food pantry, haiti mission, homeless shelter, homelessness, Joe Micon, lafayette indiana, lafayette urban ministry, lum, purdue, purdue crew, purdue womens basketball, sharon versyp, st thomas, St. John'sLafayette Urban Ministry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 13, 2012

(Lafayette, IN) On Sunday, September 16, 2012, over 900 participants helped raise $83,232.10 to meet the needs of hungry families in the Lafayette-West Lafayette area and overseas. Hunger Hike supports the Lafayette Urban Ministry’s food programs, Food Finders Food Bank and St. Thomas Aquinas’ Haiti Ministry.

This morning, LUM Executive Director, Joe Micon, and Board President, Deb Parent, distributed the checks to the benefactors. On hand to accept for Food Finder Food Bank was Katie Bunder, Executive Director, and Cheryl Precious, Development Director. Also in attendance were Ron Smith, Hunger Hike director, and Eileen Weiss, LUM business manager. Hunger Hike 2012 had over 1000 organizations, businesses and individuals involved in fundraising and making donations; over 900 hikers, walkers, and runners; and over 200 volunteers engaged before, during and after the event.

Food Finders Food Bank, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Haiti Ministry and the food programs at LUM each were presented with a check for $26,095.72.

Joe Micon stated that LUM will use the money to support the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry which provides emergency food for over 2200 individuals each and every month; meals to feed the homeless in the LUM emergency shelter; and snacks for the LUM After School Program, Achieve! Program and the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program.

Katie Bunder stated that Food Finder Food Bank will use the money to fund the maintenance costs for storing and delivering food that are not currently covered by other organizations. It currently costs 25 cents per pound to store and distribute food and other organizations pay 19 cents. This money will cover the rest. Hunger Hike money also pays for the distribution for ripe produce which is distributed without collecting any maintenance fees. Produce supplies have increased by 400% which is positive but it costs more to distribute before it spoils. On behalf of Food Finders, Bunder stated that “we hope we can help all of greater Lafayette eat healthier because we have all of these dollars to spend on healthy, fresh food.”

St. Thomas Aquinas will use the money to support their mission work in Haiti. Several times a year St. Thomas Aquinas provides opportunities for individuals including Purdue students to travel to Haiti and to provide needed work especially efforts to purify water for drinking. Joe Micon acknowledged and thanked St. Thomas Aquinas for their work in Haiti as well as the support of Hunger Hike. St. Thomas had the largest group of Hikers and raised the most from donations to Hikers.

Hunger Hike was a great success and will have a tremendous positive impact on our community and the world. LUM announced that the tradition will continue in 2013 with the next Hunger Hike on Sunday, September 15, 2013.

The Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) is an organization of 42 Christian churches that serves as a social safety net for Lafayette’s needy children and families. For over 40 years, LUM has worked to give back the hope, the future, and the self-respect to low-income people in the Greater Lafayette area. We take an active role in trying to change social injustices and improve the quality of life for the poor of Indiana.

Contacts:

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

Katy Bunder
Executive Director
Food Finders Food Bank
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

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To view the Video of the Hunger Hike Check Distribution Ceremony presentation, please click below:

Additional Hunger Hike 2012 Information:

For photos from the Hunger Hike Check Distribution Ceremony, click HERE.

For photos from Hunger Hike 2012, click HERE.

Hunger Hike 2012 Acknowledgements:

Top Fundraisers:

Top Individual:Rob Pahl ($3480)
Top Online: Patti O’Callaghan ($3379)
Top Team: St. Thomas Aquinas ($11,033)

5K Winners:

Women’s: 1st Melissa Guissner (21:51); 2nd Anna Busenburg (22:41); 3rd Katelyn Jackson (28:45).
Men’s: 1st Michael Kuhn (21:08); 2nd Davis Kuykendall (21:26); 3rd Kenny McCleary (21:55).

Top Sponsors:
Wal-Mart #2339, Alcoa, American Health Network, Bar Barry Liquors, Endocyte Inc., Evonik, Degussa Corp., Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., Subway, Tipmont REMC,

Other Sponsors:
Duke Energy, Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co., I.B.E.W. Local 668, InnerVision Advanced Medical Imaging, Instant Copy , Journal & Courier, K105 (WKOA) Radio, Lafayette Savings Bank, LifeSmiles Dentistry, Link Management, NeoVision, Rat Pak Mobile, Sam’s Club, Franciscan St. Elizabeth Regional Health, Stuart & Branigin LLP, Sundance Shirts, Wabash National Corp, Wintek Corp, Dr. Stephen Cook, DDS MSD, F&S Williams, Lafayette Aviation, Inc., Puccini’s, RamZ’s Emporium, Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Tecton Construction Management, Inc., The Tim Shriner Agency-Merit Realty, University Bookstore, Williamson Eye Institute, WLFI TV18.

Join LUM online and help us serve children and families even better.