Category Archives: Volunteer

Hunger Hike — Special Highlights & Surprises

Giving, Hunger Hike, Volunteer, , , , ,

Purdue Spirit, Music, Magic, Zumba & More

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

The kick-off festivities will also showcase the presence of some special guests, including Purdue Pete and the Purdue Crew Team. As if that weren’t enough, there will be a range of FREE activities to enjoy, including Zumba sessions, face painting, balloon animals, rides on the Boilermaker Special, appearances by clowns and princesses, and even soothing massages. Don’t miss out on this fantastic start to Hunger Hike!

At 1:45 p.m., a brief ceremony will mark the commencement of Hunger Hike. Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker will sing a stirring rendition of the US National Anthem alongside Fred Koning. This will be followed by an invocation delivered by Reverend Jennie Barrington from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tippecanoe County.

At 2:00 p.m., Hunger Hike 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 route, “hikers” can enjoy live boat demonstrations at the Purdue Boathouse, listen to live music from Sharon McKnight, snack on popsicles, and marvel at a magical performance by Scott Starkey, known as the Wizard of the Wabash. The journey culminates at Riehle Plaza with a Meijer picnic featuring hot dogs, chips, and bottled water.

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

Donate – Hunger Hike
Raise Funds – Hunger Hike

Co-Chairs — Dr. Edwards & Purdue Coach Walker

Hunger Hike 2023 proudly presents its honorary co-chairs, Dr. Anne Marie Edwards, the esteemed director of the Purdue Black Cultural Center, and Nathan Walker, the dedicated head coach of the Purdue Rowing & Crew Team.

Dr. Edwards & Coach Walker exemplify ideal ambassadors for Hunger Hike. They consistently raise the bar, both in their personal endeavors and in leading their respective students. Their commitment to community service, particularly in the realm of supporting food assistance and nutrition programs, is truly commendable.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Dr. Anne Marie Edwards & Coach Nathan Walker at the Hunger Hike kick-off event THIS Sunday at 1:45 p.m. (Riehle Plaza, Lafayette, IN).

More Info – Hunger Hike Honorary Co-chairs

Hunger Hike Countdown – Three Days To Go

Giving, Hunger Hike, Volunteer, , , , ,

Take Action Now – Make a Significant Impact

Take action NOW and begin your fundraising efforts for Hunger Hike 2023, making a significant impact in the fight against hunger! Hunger Hike is a family-friendly, community-driven celebration that welcomes individuals and teams dedicated to raising awareness and joining the battle against hunger. (Plus, it’s dog-friendly!) Join the effort to exceed the goal of raising $110,000 to support hunger relief efforts at the local, regional, and global levels. It’s easier than you think to get involved:

  1. Visit hungerhike.org
  2. Launch your fundraising journey today by clicking HERE
  3. To make a quick donation, simply text HHIKE to 71777

With just three days remaining until Hunger Hike, there’s still time to assemble a team and start collecting donations. Don’t hesitate – let’s make a difference together!

Donate – Hunger Hike
Raise Funds – Hunger Hike

Introducing the Hunger Hike Keynote – Race Johnson

Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Uncategorized, Volunteer, , , , , , , ,
Purdue Football Alumnus to Give Keynote

Race Johnson, Purdue alumnus & former Boilermaker football player, will offer remarks to kick off this year’s Hunger Hike THIS Sunday, September 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Riehle Plaza (N 2nd Street, Lafayette). Throughout his life, Race has worked hard and has had a special commitment to serving his community as an individual, as an athlete and with his family and church — and he’s eager to share his story THIS Sunday.

Son of Bill & Jill Johnson, Race was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Carmel. Race has a younger brother, Steele, and younger sister, Hollyn. Steele is a diver at Purdue who has won four NCAA championships and a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.

A high school athlete, Race joined the Purdue football team as a walkon in 2013. He was an Academic All-Big Ten player who played in three games in 2015, and eight games in 2016. Race earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Purdue University (West Lafayette) in May 2017. He is currently a member of the Lugar Real Estate Team in Indianapolis.

Join us THIS Sunday to meet Race and hear his remarks at the Hunger Hike kick-off event at 1:30 p.m. (Riehle Plaza).

Make a Donation Button
Hunger Hike

Introducing the Hunger Hike Co-chairs

Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Uncategorized, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Introducing the Hunger Hike 2018 Co-Chairs
Coach Sharon Versyp & Coach David Kucik

The Hunger Hike 2018 co-chairs are Purdue Coaches Sharon Versyp (women’s basketball) & Dave Kucik (men’s & women’s crew & rowing).

Coaches Versyp & Kucik are perfect ambassadors for Hunger Hike. Both have a high standard for their own work, hold their teams to a high standard and have a serious commitment to serving their community — especially in supporting food assistance and nutrition programs. As wonderful role models they will also be engaging the collegiate athletes on their teams in this Hunger Hike event.

Join us THIS Sunday to meet Coaches Sharon Versyp & Dave Kucik and hear their remarks at the Hunger Hike kick-off event at 1:30 p.m. (Riehle Plaza).

Make a Donation Button
Hunger Hike

Pumpkin Patch Benefits Hunger Hike

Giving, Hunger Hike, Volunteer, , ,
Volunteer & Raise Money for Hunger Hike 2017

pumpkinpatch2

Congress Street United Methodist Church has selected HUNGER HIKE as one of the benefactors of their annual Great Pumpkin Patch. This partnership includes Hunger Hike providing volunteers (3 hour shifts) to work at the 14th annual  Great Pumpkin Patch — as well as bake and ice cookies (2 – 2.5 hour shifts).

If you’re willing to either help with the Pumpkin Patch (Oct. 6 – 31) or with the Cookies (NOW thru Oct. 20) — here’s what you do:

  1. pumpkinpatch3Sign up — Pumpkin Patch, click HERE; Cookie Baking, click HERE; Cookie Icing,
    click HERE
  2. Enter “Hunger Hike” in the Comments section
  3. SUBMIT, Volunteer & have fun

Please sign up online TODAY — and volunteer, have fun, sell pumpkins, bake cookies, ice cookies and help Hunger Hike achieve its goal of $115,000.

Need some pumpkins? Please consider visiting the Great Pumpkin Patch of the Congress Street United Methodist Church. Each purchase you make supports Hunger Hike.

The Great Pumpkin Patch is open October 6-31 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. — rain or shine — across the street from Tropicanoe Cove & Loeb Stadium. In addition to pumpkins, you’ll also find a unique variety of gourds — plus their famous homemade sugar cookies (pictured below), homemade breads, candies, crafts & much more!

Since 2004 Congress Street United Methodist Church has grown in its Great Pumpkin Patch outreach — you must check it out. Remember ALL proceeds from pumpkin sales go to three local non-profit agencies — including Hunger Hike.

So please head out to the Great Pumpkin Patch, get in the Halloween spirit and support Hunger Hike.

 

 

Photos

Food Pantry, Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

| Donate | Fundraiser Sign Up | Find a Team or Fundraiser | Volunteer | Event Sponsors |

Check out the photos from Hunger Hike:

Hunger Hike 2019

Honorary Co-Chairs

Food Pantry, Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , ,

| Donate | Fundraiser Sign Up | Find a Team or Fundraiser | Volunteer | Event Sponsors |

Dr. Anne Marie Edwards | Director | Black Cultural Center, Purdue University

Dr. Anne Marie Edwards serves as the director of the Purdue University Black Cultural Center.  Prior to this role, she held various roles in higher education including her most recent role as the director of the Center for Black Studies at Northern Illinois University. She received a B.S. and M.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University and worked in the hospitality industry for several years until returning to school to obtain an M.B.A. from Valparaiso University. She earned a doctorate in educational psychology in August of 2021 where her emphasis centered Black women and identity development in the higher education environment. Her other research interests include topics around race, motivation, leadership, and career development. Dr. Edwards is interested in ways of making research accessible to the public. Dr. Edwards is an active member of the Association of Black Culture Centers (ABCC), National Council for Black Studies (NCBS), NASPA, and her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has presented at ABCC, NCBS, MWERA, NASPA, ACPA, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALAH) and at the International Self-Determination theory conference.  Dr. Edwards is one of the co-hosts of the podcast Blkwomynvoices, a biweekly show about Black womyn and higher education.

MORE.

Nathan Walker | Director of Programs and Facilities & Head Men’s Coach | Purdue Rowing & Crew Team

Nathan began his rowing career at Purdue in 2000, was voted Most Valuable Oarsman twice (’03, ’04) and stroked the V8 in 2004 to a 2nd place finish at the Dad Vail Regatta. Since graduating from college Nathan has coached high school, college, and masters rowers all across the country, including serving as the Head Novice Men’s Coach at Purdue, a Masters Women’s Coach at Alexandria Community Rowing Club, the Head Coach at Fairfax High School, the Director of Rowing at The College of William and Mary, the Head Men’s Coach at Norcal Crew, and most recently the Director of Rowing at Culver Academies before being hired back at his alma mater Purdue. He has coached crews to medals at Dad Vails, ACRAs, Head of the Charles, Youth Nationals, and Scholastic Nationals, and coached athletes to spots on the U19, U23, and Senior National Teams.

MORE.

| Donate | Fundraiser Sign Up | Find a Team | Find a Fundraiser | Event Sponsors |

Resources

Food Pantry, Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , , , ,

| Donate | Fundraiser Sign Up | Find a Team or Fundraiser | Volunteer | Event Sponsors |

Hunger Hike Resources — Quick Links

Hunger Hike Fundraising

  • Fundraiser – Sign-up Form – click HERE 
  • Launch Page – click HERE
  • Donate to Hunger Hike – click HERE
  • Collection Form (PDF) – click HERE

Promotional Materials – More coming soon

— Feel free to use anything below to promote Hunger Hike and your Hunger Hike team’s fundraising efforts.

  • Hunger Hike Photos – HERE
  • Logo – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Flier (8.5″x11″) PDF – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Postcard PDF – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Handouts (5.5″x8.5″) PDF – HERE
  • Hunger Hike Poster PDF – | 11″x17″ | 
  • Bulletin/Newsletter Insert 2-sided (8.5″x11″) PDF – HERE
  • Bulletin/Newsletter Announcement PDF – HERE 
  • Social Media
    • Facebook Banner/Cover Photo JPG – HERE
    • Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Ad Photo JPG – HERE

Other Information

  • Sponsoring Organizations – HERE
  • Event Sponsors – HERE
Donate – Hunger Hike

Sponsoring Organizations

Food Pantry, Giving, Hunger Hike, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry, Volunteer, , , , , , , , , , , ,

| Donate | Fundraiser Sign Up | Find a Team or Fundraiser | Volunteer | Event Sponsors |

All Hunger Hike proceeds benefit the Lafayette Urban Ministry Food Programs, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. & St. Thomas Aquinas’ Haiti Ministry. Learn more about the Hunger Hike sponsoring organizations.

Lafayette Urban Ministry

The Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) is an organization of more than 47 churches that serves as a social safety net for Lafayette’s needy children and families.

For more than 50 years, LUM has worked to give back the hope, the future, and the self-respect to low-income people in the Greater Lafayette area. LUM takes an active role in trying to change social injustices and improve the quality of life for the poor of Indiana.

Website | 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901 | (765) 423-2691

STA Haiti

Haiti Ministry – St. Thomas Aquinas Center

Several times a year, the Haiti Committee at St. Thomas Aquinas travel to St. Francis Xavier Church in Baudin, Haiti. St. Tom’s has over the decades offer medical treatment, administered medicine, improved the quality of water, assisted with strategies to grow food, store food and produce and store seeds.

St. Thomas Aquinas serves as the Catholic Center at Purdue University. The parish engages the youthful energy of all its members to nurture their faith journey across all generations through liturgy, spiritual and intellectual formation, stewardship, and justice with peace. They joyfully welcome all who wish to meet life’s challenges through lived faith in Jesus Christ.

Website | 535 W State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906 | (765) 743-4652

Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.

FFFB

Since 1981, Food Finders Food Bank has been a critical component of the welfare of Tippecanoe and 15 surrounding counties in Indiana: providing food to member agencies, advocating for the hungry, and educating the public about hunger-related issues.

Funded by United Way, foundations, grants, the USDA, corporations, sponsors, and individual donors, Food Finders Food Bank annually distributes more than 7 million pounds of food to a network of non-profit organizations that work to alleviate hunger throughout north central Indiana.

Website | 1204 Greenbush Street, Lafayette, IN 47904 | (765) 471-0062