Walk The Lakefront To End Hunger Saturday

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 28, 2013 7:00PM

Image via Greater Chicago Food Depository

Anthony wrote a couple week’s back about Feeding America’s latest report on hunger increase of food insecurity in Cook County. As of 2011, over 860,000 people in Cook County go hungry every day—one-third of them children. Food pantries in the Greater Chicago area have seen a 77 percent increase in visits year-to-date compared to the same time frame five years ago.

In 2012, the Greater Chicago Food Depository distributed 64 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 134,800 meals every day. Their annual Hunger Walk June 29 aims to raise funds for their network of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. The 5K (3.1 mile) walk along the lakefront sees thousands of men, women and children participating with the goal of eliminating hunger in the Chicago area. The Food Depository has set a goal of 15,000 participants this year, which would make the 28th Annual Hunger Walk the biggest in the event’s history. They’ve also planned a morning of festivities entertainment for the whole family, including an appearance by former Chicago Bears lineman James “Big Cat” Williams, who will greet the crowd before the walk.

Readers interested in participating in the walk may register online or head to Soldier Field 7 a.m. June 29. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m.