Category Archives: Lafayette Urban Ministry

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 Facts – 2022

HUNGER HIKE – Did you know?

General Facts/Statistics

  • According to the USDA, the price of food purchased to eat at home increased 12.2% from June 2021 to June 2022. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings/
  • According to the Washington Post, average rents in Tippecanoe County have increased 10.8% since 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/rising-rent-prices/
  • In July, Food Finders Food Bank experienced a 70% increase in visits to their Fresh Market Community Food Pantry over the same time last year
  • In the first half of the year, Lafayette Urban Ministry saw a 36% jump in visits to their food pantry over 2021.  The number of new food pantry clients went up 123%, and they saw a 33% increase in visits to their emergency shelter.
  • Food insecure adults are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure. They are also more likely to report mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, and poor general health. Seniors who are food insecure have a decreased capacity to maintain independence with aging.

Child Hunger Facts/Stats

  • According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 Hoosiers struggle with hunger.  Among Hoosier children, the number is 1 in 6. Feeding America – IN (feedingamericaaction.org)
  • Children who face hunger are more likely to struggle in school and experience developmental setbacks. Kids who struggle to get enough to eat also face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma.
  • In addition to decreased intellectual and emotional development and poor academic performance, children living in food insecure households are at higher risk of poor physical and mental health. They are substantially more likely to be diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, asthma, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, cognitive impairment, and behavioral disorders. They are also at higher risk of being hospitalized. These health problems and the resulting time demands placed on caregivers impact the ability of caregivers to maintain stable employment.

Senior Hunger Facts/Stats

  • 12.7% of seniors in Indiana struggle with food insecurity –  2022-senior-report-state-summaries.pdf (americashealthrankings.org)
  • Seniors struggling with hunger often have to make the difficult decision between paying for rent, medication, or transportation and food.
  • For seniors, lack of access to healthy foods, or even a stable diet, can lead to life threatening medical conditions, such as disability, deteriorating health/ mental health conditions, serious infections, lengthy hospitalization, and malnutrition. The number one health condition caused by food insecurity among seniors is clinical (severe/major) depression. For more information on senior hunger, read The State of Senior Hunger 

T-Shirt Appointment Form

Every Fundraiser who raises at least $50 for Hunger Hike is entitled to a free Hunger Hike 2020 T-shirt. Sign up below to choose a time slot for picking up your T-shirt at the
LUM Office, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN.

Hunger Hike T-Shirts – Sales This Weekend

The official Hunger Hike 2019 T-shirt (see photo) will be available this weekend at the Masses at St. Thomas Aquinas for a donation to Hunger Hike. Details are as follows:

  • Date/times:
    Saturday, 5:15-6:30 p.m.;
    Sunday, 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.;
    6:45-8:30 p.m.
  • Location: St. Thomas Aquinas, 535 W State Street, West Lafayette
  • Donation: 1 for $10, 2 for $15, 6 for $30

All proceeds will go to Hunger Hike 2019.
A limited number of past year’s Hunger Hike T-shirts will be available as well. 

Get ’em while they last! 

If you wish to VOLUNTEER selling T-shirts at St. Tom’s, click HERE.

The Official Hunger Hike 2019 T-Shirt

Here is this year’s official Hunger Hike T-shirt.

Everyone who raises more than $50 will be presented with a 2019 Hunger Hike T-shirt at check-in on Sunday, September 22 at Riehle Plaza. You can then wear it in pride knowing that YOU have made a difference in the Fight Against Hunger.

It is not too late to start raising money for Hunger Hike — and secure your official 2019 T-shirt. Just go to the Hunger Hike website and get started today — hungerhike.org.

Hot Dog Picnic – Clowns – Massages & More

At Hunger Hike, there will be a Hot Dog Picnic with free hot dogs, bottled water & chips. Hunger Hike also includes clownsface paintingballoon animalsmassages, and voter registrationHunger Hike is thankful for the support of our many sponsors — including:

  • Printing – Instant Copy Printing, Lafayette
  • Bottled Water – Aqua Systems, Lafayette
  • Hot Dogs – Texas Roadhouse, Lafayette
  • Banners – Sign Art Etc., Lafayette
  • Trophies – Awards Unlimited, Inc., Lafayette
  • Massages – Essential Touch Massage, Lafayette
  • Face Painting & Balloon Animals – Smiles Unlimited Clown Ministry, Laffy-ette Chapter

Please show your appreciation for our Hunger Hike event sponsors by supporting and thanking them.