Hunger Hike Exceeds 2015 Fundraising Goal
At a 
celebration this past Monday, it was announced that Hunger Hike 2015 not only raised a record amount but also exceeded the 2015 fundraising goal. For the first time in the 50 year history of Hunger Hike — the amount raised exceeded $100,000. The total is $100,282 in cash donations plus $1,000 in donations of gift cards.
Special thanks to the Lafayette Life Foundation for our final 2015 donation of $5,000 which took us over top.
A majority of the money comes from local churches and their fundraising efforts. The top church fundraisers this year were as follows:
- St. Thomas Aquinas ($26,351),
- Chapel of the Good Shepherd ($4,050),
- St. Andrew United Methodist ($3,900) &
- Bethany Presbyterian ($3,367).
Hunger Hike was also blessed with donations from many local companies. The top event sponsor donations this year were as follows:
- Walmart/Sam’s Club Foundation ($6,000),
- Lafayette Life Foundation ($5,000),
- Alcoa Foundation ($4,300) &
- Bison Financial Group ($2,000).
On hand for the celebration were two of the Hunger Hike honorary co-chairs —
- Coach Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women’s
Basketball and - Coach David Kucik, Purdue Crew {pictured above};
- representatives for the City of Lafayette, St. Tom’s, Good Shepherd;
- as well as event sponsors:
- Steven Wien, Bison Financial Group &
- Kelli Luttrell, Alcoa {pictured right}.
The celebration was capped off with the presentation of checks to representatives of the three sponsoring organizations —
- Rob Pahl, St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry,
- Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. &
- Susie Riley, Lafayette Urban Ministry {pictured below}.
Hunger Hike 2015 raised a grand total of $101,282
($1,000 in gift cards), with each organization receiving $33,760.
The proceeds from Hunger Hike 2015 will have a tremendous & immedi
ate positive impact on the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally & globally. Thank you all again for making history this year at Hunger Hike.
Please mark your calendars for next year’s Hunger Hike event weekend — September 17 & 18, 2016. More information may be found on the Hunger Hike website at www.hungerhike.org.
If you wish to become a Hunger Hike 2016 event sponsor, please call or email Joe Micon (765-423-2691 | jmicon@lumserve.org).
If you wish to make an individual donation to Hunger Hike, click HERE.
More photos from the recent Hunger Hike celebration may be found HERE.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Rev. Kevin A. Bowers, members of Bethany have participated is some unique competitions over the years raising close to $3000 annually for Hunger Hike. One year, Bethany members were asked to donate to Hunger Hike and signify “Colts” or “Steelers.” The football team that had the most money would determine which jersey Pastor Kevin, who is a loyal Pittsburgh Steelers fan, would be wearing to the Steelers/Colts game in Indianapolis.
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.