‘Hunger Walk’ Saturday in Estero
The Harry Chapin Food Bank is still $50,000 short of its fund-raising goal for Saturday’s Hunger Walk, to be held at Miromar Outlets in Estero.
The difference could mean that hundreds of families might go hungry in Southwest Florida if the goal isn’t met, according to Harry Chapin Associate Director Joyce Jacobs.
The goal was to raise $250,000, which would equate to $1.5 million worth of food being distributed throughout the community, she said.
“This is the big one, our signature event,” Jacobs said. “It helps us stay operational and keeps our trucks on the road.”
The Harry Chapin Food Bank collects and distributes food through a network of non-profit agencies throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.
The Cape Coral Caring Center is one local non-profit that benefits from the efforts of Harry Chapin.
Harry Chapin distributes food to over 30,000 people monthly, equating to over 1 million pounds of food. It distributed over 12 million pounds of food in 2011 alone.
For each dollar donated, $6 in food goes back to the community, which makes closing that gap pivotal, Jacobs said.
“It could be a reflection of the economy, but it’s my hope people are procrastinating a little bit and will rally in the end,” she added.
Sponsored in part by WINK News and Panera Bread, the Hunger Walk is Saturday, Jan 21.
Online registration is available, but registration the day of the event will be available.
Jacobs said people can register as a team, as individuals or a company, and walk the three miles to help feed the needy.
The walk is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude by 11 a.m., just in time for the stores to open at Miromar.
“It’s a fun event for the whole family,” she added.
For more information or to conrtribute financially to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, contact 239-334-7007, or visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.