Lakeview Pantry Executive Director Starts 50-Mile Food Walk

By Minna A in Food on Jun 21, 2012 7:00PM

Lakeview Pantry’s 50-year-old executive director, Gary Garland, kicked off a 50-mile walk today, trekking from Kenosha, Wisc. to Chicago in time for the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s 27th Annual Hunger Walk this Saturday, June 23.

Garland hopes his efforts will raise awareness for hunger-related issues in the community and raise funds for the efforts of this community-based organization. The Lakeview Pantry helps more than 12,000 individuals each year with emergency food assistance, home-delivered groceries and case management services, all will the support from community donors and assistance provided from the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The annual Hunger Walk benefits the more than 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in the Cook Country region that make up the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s (GCFD) network. This year, nearly 10,000 people are expected to converge at Soldier Field for this 5k run/walk to benefit the GCFD.

A new study by Feeding American shows that in the Cook County area, approximately 1 in 6 people are food insecure and unsure where their next meal will come from, making the donations received at this year’s Hunger Walk more vital than ever. Take part and register or donate to the Hunger Walk today.

Keep up with Garland’s progress towards the Chicago Hunger Walk on the Lakeview Pantry Facebook page, or donate to the organization online.