Third annual hunger walk to be held Jan. 22
The 2011 WINK-News Feeds Families Hunger Walk has been set for Saturday, Jan. 22, at Miromar Outlet Mall to help raise money for the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
The theme for the third annual Hunger Walk, which is being presented by Panera Bread and SIX L’s Packing, is “1 Million Reasons to Walk.” The goal is to raise $167,000, which will distribute 1 million pounds of food to the community through the food bank. As of Monday afternoon, The Harry Chapin Food Bank had raised $123,825.
Joyce Jacobs, associate director of the Harry Chapin Food Bank, explained that more than 30,000 of our neighbors are in need, almost 40 percent of whom are children, and receive emergency food from our partner agencies each month.
“The need is incredible and reaching our goal will enable us to distribute over one million pounds of food,” she said. “This past November we distributed over one million pounds in only one month.”
Although there is no set fee to participate in the walk, individuals are encouraged to raise a minimum of $50. The minimum $50 pledge will provide a free walk T-shirt, along with the opportunity for individuals to qualify for overall awards to those who register before 8 a.m. on Jan. 21. Registration can also be done the day of the walk beginning at 8 a.m.
For those who would like to register online can do so by visiting www.harrychapinfb.dojiggy.com.
The two-mile walk, which will begin at 9 a.m., will be led by WINK-News Chairman Lois Thome. The co-chairs of the event are First Lady of Florida Gulf Coast University Joanna Bradshaw and Northern Trust Bank President Sandy Robinson.
Jacobs said last year’s Hunger Walk raised $146,000 with more than 1,000 pledges and approximately 600 walkers.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank provides more than 800,000 pounds of food to more than 30,000 people monthly through 170 local nonprofit agencies in Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte and Glades counties. The food bank provides $6 worth of food for every $1 donated. During the last fiscal year, The Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed more than 9.6 million pounds of food, along with other grocery products.