Category Archives: Hunger Hike

Hunger Hike Still Needs Your Support

Hunger Hike teams & participants have raised $105,273 toward the $115,000 goal. Just a little further to go—help cross the finish line and fuel nutrition for neighbors in Greater Lafayette, across the region, and in Haiti. Every gift makes a difference—let’s hit the target together!


Hunger Hike: Community Comes Together

Celebrating Generosity, Fun & Community Spirit

This past Sunday, the rain had passed, the clouds cleared, and Hunger Hike 2025 burst to life with energy, laughter, and community spirit! Hundreds came out in support—from Zumba dancers to Purdue Pete, elected officials, faith communities, local businesses, school groups, and the Purdue Crew Team. The day was alive with music, popsicles, hot dogs, clowns, face painting, magic, watermelon, and even a few relaxing massages—a true celebration of heart, fun, and generosity.

Even more exciting, the generosity of our community has been incredible—but we still need your help to reach our $115,000 goal! So far, Hunger Hike has raised over $100,700, or 87% of the goal, and every additional gift brings us closer to making an even bigger impact. A huge thank you to everyone who walked, donated, and cheered Hunger Hike to success.


Special Thanks go to our Event Sponsors, including the in-kind sponsors: Dream Dinners Lafayette for freezer pops, Zumba by Erika Smith & Amanda McNeff, Meijer for hot dogs and watermelon, massages by Essential Touch, magic by Scott Starkey – the Wizard of the Wabash, music by Sharon McKnight & Friends, and the clowns from Smiles Unlimited for face painting, and balloon animals & hats. To view all Event Sponsors, click HERE.

Thank You – Hunger Hike Event Sponsors

Thank you to our #HungerHike Sponsors for their generous support in the Stand Against Hunger! Stop by and say “thanks” soon. To see the entire list of sponsors and learn more, click HERE.


  • The Lafayette Life Foundation
  • Cook Medical
  • ABC 35 Lafayette
  • Bob FM
  • The National Group
  • Walmart

  • City of Lafayette
  • Property Solution Contractors
  • Rainbow Trout Solar
  • University Book Store
  • Evonik
  • Henry Poor
  • Rat Pak DJs
  • Wabash

Don’t Miss the Hunger Hike Kick-Off

We’re close to reaching our $115,000 fundraising goal, but we’re not there yet. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has participated so far—your generosity is making a real impact. Every gift makes a difference—supporting the stand against food insecurity locally, regionally, and globally. Don’t wait—act now. One donation, every donation, brings us one step closer.


Purdue Spirit, Music, Magic, Zumba & More

WHEN & WHERE: Riehle Plaza | 1–3 PM

Get ready to kick off Hunger Hike 2025 with DJ Powder from Rat Pak Mobile DJs, pumping up the energy with great tunes.

Don’t wait—assemble your team, start collecting donations, and make a lasting impact today!

SPECIAL GUESTS & FREE FUN:

  • Purdue Pete & the Purdue Crew Team
  • Zumba sessions, face painting, balloon animals, clowns & princesses
  • Free hot dogs & watermelon from Meijer
  • Relaxing massages

CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS at 2 PM at Riehle Plaza:

  • US National Anthem performed by Indiana State Rep. Sheila Klinker & Kelly Jacobs
  • Invocation by the Rev. Jennie Barrington, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tippecanoe County.

HUNGER HIKE WALK – Starts at 2:15 PM:

  • Family-friendly 1.5K route through Tapawingo Park & over the pedestrian bridge
  • Live boat demos at Purdue Boathouse, music by Sharon McKnight
  • Popsicles & a magical show from Scott Starkey, the Wizard of the Wabash
  • Take on the extended 4.25K challenge

FINISH LINE FUN – 3 PM at Riehle Plaza:

  • Prize drawing for gift certificates
  • Trophies for youngest & oldest walkers, best new fundraiser, and best new team

Why Join? Hunger Hike is more than a walk—it’s a community celebration and a vital fundraising event supporting Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry.

Take Action NOW: Come, walk, fundraise, and make a difference. Your steps fight hunger—don’t miss it!

Hunger Hike Countdown – Three Days To Go

Jump Into Hunger Hike – There’s Still Time!

Time is running out! With just three days left, you can still make a real difference in the fight against hunger. Hunger Hike 2025 is a family-friendly, community-driven event—and yes, dogs are welcome too.

Join individuals and teams across the community in raising awareness and funds to surpass our $115,000 goal, supporting hunger relief locally, regionally, and globally. Getting started is fast and easy:

  • Launch your fundraising: HungerHike.org
  • Start today: Click HERE to begin your fundraising journey
  • Give instantly: Text HHike25 to 50155

Don’t wait—assemble your team, start collecting donations, and make a lasting impact today!


Five Ways to Make Hunger Hike Unstoppable

Here are five super easy ways to donate to Hunger Hike today:

  • DONATE ONLINE – Make an Online Donate, HERE
  • SUPPORT A TEAM – Donate to a Hunger Hike Team, HERE
  • SUPPORT A HIKER – Donate to a “Hiker,” HERE
  • EVENT SPONSOR – Become an Event Sponsor, email info@hungerhike.org or call 765-423-2691
  • DONATE BY MAIL or IN PERSON – Mail in or Drop Off a Donation (Make your check payable to Hunger Hike; Mail or Drop off to — Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901)

With only three days left, there’s still time to join in and make a real difference. Let’s do this together!

Hunger Hike Countdown – Only Days To Go


Join Us in the Stand Against Hunger TODAY

The countdown is ON—just days until Hunger Hike 2025, and we need YOU in the Stand Against Hunger — Sunday, September 21, at Riehle Plaza in Lafayette, IN. This isn’t just a walk—it’s a family-friendly, community-powered celebration where individuals, teams, and even your four-legged friends come together to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief.

THE GOAL? $115,000 for hunger relief—locally, regionally, and globally. And with your help, we can smash it. Getting involved is easier than ever:

  • Visit HungerHike.org
  • Kickstart your fundraising journey with one click HERE
  • Text & make an instant impact—just text HHIKE to 50155

Stand Against Hunger! Be a part of something greater than all of us.



Time is short, but the opportunity is HUGE. Assemble your team, rally your network, and let’s make history together. Here are five super easy ways to donate to Hunger Hike today:

  • DONATE Online – click HERE
  • Support a TEAM – click HERE
  • Support a HIKER – click HERE
  • Become an Event SPONSOR – Call (765) 423-2691 or email info@hungerhike.org
  • DONATE by Mail or In Person – Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

Hunger won’t wait—why should you? We’re already halfway to our goal. With YOUR help, we can crush it. Join the movement NOW and be part of something that lasts forever.


The event schedule is as follows:

  • 1:00 p.m. – Event begins
  • 2:00 p.m. – Ceremony
  • 2:15 p.m. – Hike starts
  • 3:00 p.m. – Awards & Door Prizes

Hunger Hike is more than just a walk—it’s a chance to make a real difference. Funds raised will support Lafayette Urban MinistryFood Finders Food Bank, and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry.

Together, these organizations provide food, nutrition, and shelter programs in Greater Lafayette, deliver fresh groceries like milk, protein, and eggs to neighbors in need, and offer life-sustaining resources to families in Baudin, Haiti.


Hunger Hike is the perfect event for groups—whether it’s your church, student organization, civic club, workplace, or family. Form a team, register online, and start fundraising TODAY.

For more than 30 yearsHunger Hike has been a cooperative fundraiser that empowers our community to take action against food insecurity.

Every step you take and every dollar you raise helps ensure that children, families, and individuals in need receive the food and support they deserve.

Visit HungerHike.org to register, create your team, and begin fundraising. Together, let’s raise awareness and make a difference in the fight against hunger. For more information, click HERE or email Jen Bushore-Barry at info@HungerHike.org.

Join Hunger Hike & the Fight Against Hunger


Walk with Us to Feed Families Near and Far

Mark your calendars—Hunger Hike 2025 is set for Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Riehle Plaza in Lafayette, IN. This annual community event brings people together to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger locally, regionally, and globally. The event schedule is as follows:

  • 1:00 p.m. – Event begins
  • 2:00 p.m. – Ceremony
  • 2:15 p.m. – Hike starts
  • 3:00 p.m. – Awards & Door Prizes

Hunger Hike is more than just a walk—it’s a chance to make a real difference. Funds raised will support Lafayette Urban MinistryFood Finders Food Bank, and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry.

Together, these organizations provide food, nutrition, and shelter programs in Greater Lafayette, deliver fresh groceries like milk, protein, and eggs to neighbors in need, and offer life-sustaining resources to families in Baudin, Haiti.


Hunger Hike is the perfect event for groups—whether it’s your church, student organization, civic club, workplace, or family. Form a team, register online, and start fundraising TODAY.

  • DONATE Online – click HERE
  • Support a TEAM – click HERE
  • Support a HIKER – click HERE
  • Become an Event SPONSOR – Call (765) 423-2691 or email info@hungerhike.org
  • DONATE by Mail or In Person – Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901

For more than 30 yearsHunger Hike has been a cooperative fundraiser that empowers our community to take action against food insecurity.

Every step you take and every dollar you raise helps ensure that children, families, and individuals in need receive the food and support they deserve.

Visit HungerHike.org to register, create your team, and begin fundraising. Together, let’s raise awareness and make a difference in the fight against hunger. For more information, click HERE or email Jen Bushore-Barry at info@HungerHike.org.

Hunger Hike 2024 Exceeded Expectations


Hunger Hike Raised More Than $114,000…So Far

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Hunger Hike has surpassed the $110,000 goal, raising over $114,000! Together, our community is making a real and lasting impact on hunger relief locally, regionally, and globally. Your support is a testament to the power of collective action, and the Hunger Hike team couldn’t be more grateful.

Here are five super easy ways to donate to Hunger Hike today:

  1. DONATE ONLINE – Make an Online Donate, HERE
  2. SUPPORT A TEAM – Donate to a Hunger Hike Team, HERE
  3. SUPPORT A HIKER – Donate to a “Hiker,” HERE
  4. EVENT SPONSOR – Become an Event Sponsor, email info@hungerhike.org or call 765-423-2691
  5. DONATE BY MAIL or IN PERSON – Mail in or drop off a donation (Make your check payable to Hunger Hike; Mail or Drop off to — Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901)

There’s still time to be part of this amazing effort—Hunger Hike is continuing to accept donations. Whether you’ve already given or are considering joining in, every donation counts. Don’t miss the chance to make a difference in the fight to end hunger. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported Hunger Hike 2024, even from afar. Your dedication proves that, rain or shine, our mission to fight hunger is unshakable. Together, we are making a meaningful difference.


Here are five super easy ways to donate to Hunger Hike today:

  1. DONATE ONLINE – Make an Online Donate, HERE
  2. SUPPORT A TEAM – Donate to a Hunger Hike Team, HERE
  3. SUPPORT A HIKER – Donate to a “Hiker,” HERE
  4. EVENT SPONSOR – Become an Event Sponsor, email info@hungerhike.org or call 765-423-2691
  5. DONATE BY MAIL or IN PERSON – Mail in or drop off a donation (Make your check payable to Hunger Hike; Mail or Drop off to — Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901)

There is still time to join in and make a real difference. Let’s do this together!


Hunger Hike Pushes Forward Despite Rain


Storms Cancel Event But Not the Spirit of Support

Though heavy rain led to the cancellation of all activities, the Hunger Hike 2024 fundraiser continued with remarkable strength and generosity. While we missed gathering as a community in the fight against hunger, the spirit of support was stronger than ever, helping us reach 97% of our $110,000 goal!

Despite not being able to come together in person with the Purdue Crew Team, Purdue Pete, elected officials, local businesses, and school & church groups, the dedication to this vital cause was clear. Donations poured in, showing that our community’s commitment to ending hunger remains resilient. Although we haven’t quite met our goal, we are optimistic and still accepting donations to help close the gap and further strengthen our impact.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported Hunger Hike 2024, even from afar. Your dedication proves that, rain or shine, our mission to fight hunger is unshakable. Together, we are making a meaningful difference.

{Pictured – a few people showed up and walked the Hunger Hike route even though they knew the festivities were canceled.}


Join the effort to exceed the goal of raising $110,000 to support hunger relief efforts at the local, regional, and global levels. Here are five super easy ways to donate to Hunger Hike today:

  1. DONATE ONLINE – Make an Online Donate, HERE
  2. SUPPORT A TEAM – Donate to a Hunger Hike Team, HERE
  3. SUPPORT A HIKER – Donate to a “Hiker,” HERE
  4. EVENT SPONSOR – Become an Event Sponsor, email info@hungerhike.org or call 765-423-2691
  5. DONATE BY MAIL or IN PERSON – Mail in or drop off a donation (Make your check payable to Hunger Hike; Mail or Drop off to — Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901)

There is still time to join in and make a real difference. Let’s do this together!


Sneak Peek at Hunger Hike


Join us  for the lively Hunger Hike kick-off event, taking place at Riehle Plaza from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Your emcee and dance music provider for the occasion will be DJ Powder from Rat Pak Mobile DJs.

Details on this year’s festivities are coming soon. But previous years have featured special guests, including Purdue Pete and the Purdue Crew Team, along with a range of FREE activities including Zumba sessions, face paintingballoon animals, rides on the Boilermaker Special, free hot dogs & watermelon courtesy of Meijer, and even soothing massages. Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration of Hunger Hike!

At 2:00 p.m. – Ceremony
Emceed by Wes Tillett, the event marks the commencement of Hunger Hike, which include:

  • US National Anthem
  • Invocation
  • Brief speeches by representatives of Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank, and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry, along with the Hunger Hike Honorary Co-Chairs

At 2:15 p.m.Hunger Hike Begins.
Supporters will embark on a 1.5K walk, tracing a family-friendly path that winds over the pedestrian bridge and through Tapawingo Park. Along the way, they’ll encounter signs with facts about hunger both here and Greater Lafayette and in Haiti. Everyone who stamps a form to show that they’ve visited each of the signs will be entered into a drawing for some special door prizes.

And those looking to stretch their legs a little more can also take advantage of our extended 4.25K route.

At 3:15 p.m., hikers will return to Riehle Plaza where we will conduct a drawing, as well as giving out trophies to the youngest and oldest walkers, the best new fundraiser, and the best new team.  

Hunger Hike represents not only a vital fundraising initiative but also a vibrant community celebration. The event serves as a platform to raise awareness and funds in support of the valuable efforts of Lafayette Urban MinistryFood Finders Food Bank, Inc., and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry.


You can Donate online, in person, or by mail; support a team or individual hiker; and even become an event sponsor.

Let’s give that final push to make it happen! Here are five super easy ways to donate to Hunger Hike today:

  • DONATE BY MAIL or IN PERSON – Mail in or Drop Off a Donation (Make your check payable to Hunger Hike; Mail or Drop off to — Hunger Hike, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901)
  • DONATE ONLINE – Make an Online Donate, HERE
  • SUPPORT A TEAM – Donate to a Hunger Hike Team, HERE
  • SUPPORT A HIKER – Donate to a “Hiker,” HERE
  • EVENT SPONSOR – Become an Event Sponsor, email info@hungerhike.org or call 765-423-2691

Assemble a team today and start collecting donations. Don’t hesitate – let’s make a difference together!