Here’s why you should join H.O.M.E. on Saturday for the Hunger Walk
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is running a wonderful series over on their blog entitled “Why I walk.” Earlier this month, our own Mike Laz shared Christine’s story and what the Hunger Walk means for H.O.M.E.—the credits we earn at the Hunger Walk help H.O.M.E. to purchase food to provide healthy meals to the seniors who live in our shared living residences.
If you need a little more motivation to join us this weekend for the 29th Annual Hunger Walk at Soldier Field, here are some facts you may not know.
Senior Hunger
According to studies by Feeding America and the AARP Foundation:
- Roughly 9 million Americans aged 50 and older face hunger
- Those aged 50 – 59 are almost two times likely to be diabetic if they are at risk of hunger and they are more than five times likely to have depression
- Less than a third of the more than 7 million older Americans who are eligible for SNAP are enrolled
Hunger in Chicago
According to studies by the Greater Chicago Food Depository:
- More than 1 in 6 people in Chicago are food insecure and do not know where their next meal is coming from
- The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food at 650 programs through a network of more than 400 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year.
- In 2010, 44 percent of households served by the Depository had to choose between paying for food and paying for housing and, 28 percent of the households served have also had to make the choice between buying food and paying for healthcare.
How you can help
On Saturday, June 21, thousands of men, women and children will gather on Chicago’s lakefront to raise funds and awareness for the fight to end hunger in Cook County. The Hunger Walk is a fun opportunity for all types of businesses, organizations and individuals to help ensure their neighbors get the food they need.
The 5K, 3.1 mile Hunger Walk benefits pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Cook County that are members of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s network, including H.O.M.E.
If you haven’t signed up, you can do so today or at the event. Can’t come? Donate and share our page with your friends and family! Remember, we receive credit for everyone who participates on our team, so showing up and walking with us helps!
Just click on the link and you will be taken to our team page - A00841 - HOME
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Please contact Mike Laz with any questions:
773-295-2709
MikeL@HOMEseniors.org
The Hunger Walk is an annual 5K (3.1 miles) event to raise funds and awareness for the Food Depository's work in Cook County and network of 650 agencies like H.O.M.E. The Food Depository covers the overhead expenses for the event so all funds raised can be divided amongst the agencies to help supplement their budgets. This is the largest one-day anti-hunger event in Chicago that brings together all of Cook County.
Onsite registration begins at 7:00 am at Soldier Field. The Hunger Walk begins at 8:30 am. Find H.O.M.E.’s team near the registration table under our banner!