Everyone was encouraged to be a Hunger Hike HERO — and several stepped up to the challenge. Hunger Hike Heroes are individuals who participated in both the HH5K Run on Saturday & the Hunger Hike 3K Walk on Sunday — and raised at least $50.
This year the Hunger Hike Heroes who stepped up to the challenge to run, hike and raise money to Fight Hunger are as follows:
The purpose of the Hunger Hike 5K Run is to use physical exercise to draw attention to and funds for “Feeding the Hungry.” This past Saturday, more than 75 runners and speed-walkers took part in the HH5K Run 2015 — the Race to Feed the Hungry. The stormy weather cleared up just in time for the start of the run, and it was a cool morning, the skies were clear and the sun was shining — a perfect day for a race.
The HH5K Run 2015 convened at Celery Bog Nature Area (Cumberland Ave., West Lafayette) with start/finish on the Cattail Trail through the beautiful Celery Bog Nature Area. The latest “chip technology” was used to give all runners an accurate race result time.
The HH5K Run winners are as follows:
Youth—1st: Robbie Burton, 2nd: Colin Frier, 3rd: Holly Perdue
Men—1st: Matthew Hoelle (not pictured), 2nd: Jordan Kehl, 3rd: Gautam Bhayani
The 2015 Hunger Hike 5K Run gave serious runners an opportunity to support these outstanding local organizations while enjoying a 5K event on a new and scenic trail.
7 Weeks to Make a Difference: Join Hunger Hike 2026!
For seven weeks, our community will come together with one goal: to fight hunger and ensure that no one goes without food.
Hunger Hike is a joint effort of Food Finders Food Bank, Lafayette Urban Ministry, and St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry, bringing individuals, families, businesses, schools, and faith communities together to raise awareness and funds to address food insecurity both locally, regionally, and globally.
Starting August 3rd, you’ll have 7 weeks to make a difference.
Here’s how you can help:
• Start a team and invite others to join you. • Raise funds in any fun and creative way you choose. • Make a donation to support the fight against hunger. • Spread awareness about food insecurity in our community.
Every dollar raised helps provide food, hope, and support to neighbors facing hunger.
Then, on September 20, we will gather as a community to celebrate our efforts, participate in the Hunger Hike, and announce the total amount raised through this incredible community-wide campaign.
Together, we can make a lasting impact. Get out there, raise awareness, raise funds, and hike to reduce hunger.
You have 7 weeks to make a difference. Let’s make them count.
Hunger Hike is an annual community fundraising event whose mission is to Raise Awareness & Make a Difference in the Stand Against Hunger — locally, regionally & globally.
Want to become a fundraiser? Here’s what you need to know to begin raising money in our community’s “stand against hunger.”
Hunger Hike is the perfect event for a team or group — church group, student organization, civic group or your family. Put together a Hunger Hike team and start raising money using our online fundraising site — or any way you choose. We hope you’ll consider joining our Fight against Hunger. Here’s how to get started:
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)
TEXT TO DONATE – Text & make an instant impact—just text HHIKE to 50155
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. will use these funds to advance its mission of providing food and connections to life-stabilizing resources when neighbors need them most. Through food distribution programs, partnerships with local agencies, and direct food assistance initiatives, Food Finders helps provide nutritious meals and groceries to thousands of children, adults, and seniors throughout north central Indiana.
Lafayette Urban Ministry will use the funds to advance its mission of being a lifeline of help and hope for the people of Greater Lafayette by supporting food, nutrition, and shelter programs that serve unhoused individuals, at-risk children, and working families.
Haiti Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas Center will use the money to provide hybrid seeds, food, clean drinking water, medicine and more to the people of Baudin parish, Haiti.
The Hunger Hike 2015 events were spectacular — filled with great excitement, high energy and genuine good will. The weather cleared up just in time for the HH5K Run on Saturday and was picture perfect on Sunday for the traditional Hunger Hike 3K Walk. Hundreds of caring individuals walked, ran, hiked, and donated funds to the Fight Against Hunger.
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 Purdue Cheerleaders & Purdue Pete, National Anthem sung by Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker & her daughter, Kelly Jacobs, director of music for the Cathedral of St. Mary; Zumba with Brooke & Kasie from Studio b Dance & Fitness — closing with a Celebration Picnic with hot dogs, chips & bottled water for all participants — and music throughout the entire event by DJ Powder from Rat Pak Mobile DJs.
Riehle plaza also included face-painting & balloon animals from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, and massages from Raleigh Barrett from Innerwaves Massage Therapy. 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, Purdue Cheerleaders, Boilermaker Special, Purdue Crew Team, Purdue Basketball Team & Purdue Volleyball Team led the hikers to the route over the Leslie Bridge into West Lafayette, through Wabash Landing, along the Wabash River and by the Purdue Boathouse. The event was successful in bringing much needed attention & funds to the battle against malnutrition, food insecurity & hunger.
Hunger Hike
Hunger Hike Photo Memories
All of the greatest moments of the Hunger Hike 2015 weekend were captured in photos. Check them out on Facebook or Flickr. Please tag yourself & share the photos with #HungerHike. When you tag yourself and share — you’re spreading the word about Hunger Hike and our Fight Against Hunger.
Special thanks to our official Hunger Hike photographers: Ed Lausch from Lausch Photography, and Olivia DeCrane & Zoe Malavenda from Harrison High School.
Share your photos from Hunger Hike weekend and use #HungerHike.
Most of the donations have been counted for Hunger Hike 2015, and our goal has not been met yet for this year. We are just “not quite there yet.”
Thus far approximately $83,000has been pledged & donated to Hunger Hike
Our goal to raise $100,000 is so very close. Each year 15% of Hunger Hike donations are made in the two months AFTER Hunger Hike. Working together this goal can be achieved.
Working Together to Reach Our Goal
Hunger Hike fundraisers and teams should send one more message to your friends & family requesting a donation. A sample message may be found HERE. Also you’re encouraged to use the tools in First-Giving to send messages & share your page on Facebook or Twitter.
Other options to donate and join our Fight Against Hunger are as follows:
All Hunger Hike proceeds support the Lafayette Urban Ministry food assistance programs including the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry. For more information on Hunger Hike — go to www.hungerhike.org.
Hunger Hike 2015 is one of the most well respected and longest running fundraising events in our community. What’s special about this event is the focus on simply Fighting Hunger & Feeding Families.
This year there will be face painting, Zumba, massages, hot dogs, and music — and you’ll be able to meet Purdue Pete & cheerleaders, the Purdue Volleyball & Women’s Basketball teams and three Purdue coaches as well as see the Boilermaker Special. Keep raising money for Hunger Hike until we meet our goal — and join us for the Hunger Hike events this weekend to celebrate.
Hunger Hike
Hunger Hike details and schedule is as follows:
Hunger Hike Kick-Off event Sunday, September 20 Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette
1:15 p.m.
Purdue Cheerleaders perform
National Anthem: Sheila Klinker, Indiana State Representative & Kelly Jacobs
Zumba warm-up with Brooke from Studio b Dance & Fitness, Lafayette
Starting at Noon
Check-in and turn in your donations — Enjoy DJ Powder, Clowns, Face painting, Massages, snacks and more
1:45 p.m.
Kick-Off ceremony with
Coach Nadine Morgan, Coach David Kucik & Coach Dave Shondell, Coach Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton
State Representatives Sheila Klinker & Ron Alting
Mayor Tony Roswarski, Lafayette
Peter Bunder, West Lafayette City Council president
Sally Seigrist, Tippecanoe County Council member
Judge Faith Graham & Judge Sean Persin
Shamus from K105 Radio!
Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry
Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, St. Thomas Aquinas Center
Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.
2 p.m. — Hunger Hike begins, led by
Purdue Pete
Purdue Cheerleaders
Boilermaker Special
Purdue Women’s Basketball & Volleyball teams
Purdue Rowing & Crew Team
End of Hike —Riehle Plaza — Celebration Picnic with Hot dogs, chips & bottled water
HH5K Run Saturday, September 19 Celery Bog Nature Area, 1780 Cumberland Ave., West Lafayette
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. — Check-in
9 a.m.
Welcome – Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry
Celebrity runners introduced – Shamus from K105; Rev. Bradley Pace, pastor at St. John’s Episcopal Church; Joe Micon, executive director of LUM; and Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP – pastor/director of campus ministries, St. Thomas Aquinas Center, West Lafayette
Invocation – Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, St. Thomas Aquinas Center
After Run
Results posted
Trophies – top female, male & youth runners
More information:
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 Center’s Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project. Since early 1990s Lafayette Urban Ministry, St. Thomas Aquinas Center and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. have been organizing a walk to support food programs locally, regionally and globally. Formerly known as the Crop Walk, it was officially renamed Hunger Hike in 1993.
Today, Hunger Hike 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 Heroes are individuals who participate in both the HH5K Run on Saturday, September 19th and the Hunger Hike traditional 3K Walk on Sunday, September 20th and raise at least $50.
If you participate in both events on Hunger Hike weekend and raise at least $50 — you will not only get two T-shirts — you will also be recognized as a Hunger Hike HERO.
Take the challenge—Run, Hike, Raise money to Fight Hunger — and become a Hunger Hike HERO!
For more information on Hunger Hike 2015, please visit and explore our new website at www.hungerhike.org.
More information:
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 Center’s Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project. Since early 1990s Lafayette Urban Ministry, St. Thomas Aquinas Center and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. have been organizing a walk to support food programs locally, regionally and globally. Formerly known as the Crop Walk, it was officially renamed Hunger Hike in 1993.
Today, Hunger Hike gives companies, organizations, families & individuals many ways to be a part of a community event with a tremendous positive impact on “Fighting Hunger.”
There is a strong partnership between Purdue University & Hunger Hike — and this year is no exception.
From our Hunger Hike Honorary Co-Chairs to Purdue Pete—Purdue is represented on Sunday. As you may have heard our three 2015 co-chairs are Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s Basketball head coach; Dave Kucik, Purdue Rowing & Crew Team head coach; and Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball head coach. Each will be on hand with their student athletes to help us kick off Hunger Hike on Sunday.
The Hunger Hike Kick-off event will also feature the Purdue Cheerleaders and Purdue Pete. Our official program will start with a spirited cheer from them both. Leading the Hike will be the Purdue Crew Team with their sculls and sweep boats, Purdue Pete & the cheerleaders, the Purdue Volleyball & Women’s Basketball teams as well as the Purdue mascot — the Boilermaker Special.
Since the primary focus of Hunger Hike is raising much needed money for the Fight Against Hunger, we are also proud of the many Purdue staff, students, and faculty who are participating as fundraisers this year. Among the student groups are Alpha Phi Omega, the CS Learning Community, and the Purdue Catholic Students. There are also faculty and staff like Jane Stewart and Genevieve Viduya participating in the Hunger Hike on Sunday as well as the HH5K Run on Saturday.
Hunger Hike brings together the entire community—especially Purdue—in a common goal of Fighting Hunger. Boiler Up!
For more information on Hunger Hike 2015, please visit and explore our new website at www.hungerhike.org.
More information:
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 Center’s Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project. Since early 1990s Lafayette Urban Ministry, St. Thomas Aquinas Center and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. have been organizing a walk to support food programs locally, regionally and globally. Formerly known as the Crop Walk, it was officially renamed Hunger Hike in 1993.
Today, Hunger Hike gives companies, organizations, families & individuals many ways to be a part of a community event with a tremendous positive impact on “Fighting Hunger.”
State Representative Sheila Klinker and Kelly Jacob will be singing the National Anthem this year at the Hunger Hike Kick-off event THIS Sunday—September 20th at Riehle Plaza.
Sheila Klinker is currently a member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 27th District since 1982. She serves on the House Committees for Agriculture and Rural Development, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety, and Ways and Means.
Ms. Kelly Jacob is the director of music at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Lafayette) and is Sheila Klinker’s daughter.
Sheila Klinker and Kelly Jacob are both accomplished singers — and we are honored to have them starting our Hunger Hike program. Sheila Klinker has been a loyal supporter of Hunger Hike from its inception.
Please join us at the Hunger Hike Kick-off event to hear this special rendition of the National Anthem by our Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker and Ms. Kelly Jacobs.
Details are as follows:
Date: Sunday, September 20
Time: 1:15 p.m. — National Anthem
Place: Riehle Plaza, N 2nd Street, Lafayette
For more information on Hunger Hike 2015, please visit and explore our new website at www.hungerhike.org.
More information:
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 Center’s Haitian Ministry including the Haiti Water Purification Project. Since early 1990s Lafayette Urban Ministry, St. Thomas Aquinas Center and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. have been organizing a walk to support food programs locally, regionally and globally. Formerly known as the Crop Walk, it was officially renamed Hunger Hike in 1993.
Today, Hunger Hike gives companies, organizations, families & individuals many ways to be a part of a community event with a tremendous positive impact on “Fighting Hunger.”
face-painting & balloon animals from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, and massages from Raleigh Barrett from 
Saturday, September 19, 2015
