Associated Ministries Continues Longstanding Dedication to Fighting Hunger

Associated Ministries Celebrates 35th Annual Pierce County Hunger Walk

TACOMA, WASH. – Associated Ministries is excited to celebrate 35 years of raising funds to help the hungry in Pierce County with their annual Hunger Walk. This 5K and 10K walk/run will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood. The Pierce County Hunger Walk offers entertainment, food and family fun from noon to 4:00 PM while raising funds and awareness of hunger relief in our community and abroad.

Of the more than 1.4 million visits made to food banks in Pierce County last year, 35 percent were made on behalf of children under the age of eighteen by unemployed or underemployed parents. Without adequate access to food, these children often suffer poor physical development and struggle to do well in school.

“Children and families in our community need us to unite and fight against hunger,” said Michael A. Tucci, Sr., of Tucci and Sons and long-time supporter of the Hunger Walk. “That is why my family and I have been supporting the Pierce County Hunger Walk for nineteen years and will continue to do so.”

Many congregations, businesses and individuals participate each year raising over $150,000 to help people struggling with hunger. One of Hunger Walk’s long-time supporters is St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. According to the church’s Planning Team Leader, John Avery, the congregation gets involved to put their faith into action. “We need to take care of people,” says Mr. Avery. “Hunger is incredibly devastating, and seeing a malnourished child is heartbreaking.” This year the church is walking in memory of former Pastor John Reitan. The church encourages the community to get involved with the Pierce County Hunger Walk because it is an impactful, powerful way to be involved both locally and globally in supporting hunger relief efforts.

With over 118,000 visits made to Pierce County food banks every month, the need for hunger relief in our community is substantial. Half the proceeds from Hunger Walk are donated to Emergency Food Network, the primary nonprofit food distributor to 67 food banks, meal sites, and shelters in Pierce County. For every dollar donated, Emergency Food Network is able to distribute twelve dollars’ worth of food.

“This is our 35th year of uniting and mobilizing our community in the fight against hunger. We are expecting more than 1,000 walkers and their families from every walk of life, businesses, civic groups, schools and communities of all faiths. Our goal is to raise $200,000 at this year’s event, providing nearly 1.2 million meals for children and families,” says Jay Thomas, Associated Ministries Chief Development Officer.

In celebration of the 35th year of the Pierce County Hunger Walk, Associated Ministries is launching the “35 Days…35 Ways,” hunger relief campaign, starting September 11 and running through October 16. The goal of the campaign is to grow support and awareness, while giving those who are unable to attend the Hunger Walk an opportunity to help provide food to those in need.

To sign up a team or find out more information about the 35th Annual Pierce County Hunger Walk and the “35 Days…35 Ways” campaign, please visit www.associatedministries.org/hungerwalk.