The 25th Annual Greater Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk

On Saturday, June 26, 2010, the 25th Annual Greater Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk took place at Soldier Field.  As a first time walker, it was an incredible experience to be surrounded with thousands of people gathered together to fight for one cause: to stop hunger in Chicago.  While walking by Lake Michigan, I couldn’t help but feel lucky and fortunate to be part of this crowd.  It was such a beautiful site.

Participating in the walk had such an impact on me that I am already planning on attending the 26th Hunger Walk next year to show my support and will bring others with me to show more support.  This year, SJOM had ten people show up in SJOM hats and t-shirts to walk together.  The group included staff, interns, volunteers and a board member, and had additional support from supporters who were not able to attend, but were able to pledge the team.  The whole experience gave such a feeling of inspiration, it felt like we were making a difference in the world, that our voices and our actions were impacting our communities.

After the Hunger Walk, SJOM hosted its first ever “Giving Back” cookout event at its Loomis site to acknowledge the Pilsen community and do something in return for its hospitality and support shown to SJOM over the past 28 years it has been there.  Participants from the men’s interim house grilled hotdogs and hamburgers donated from a community business, and also served bottles of water to help keep people cool on a hot and steamy Chicago afternoon, chips and cake.  One of SJOM’s many supporters, the congregation from International Christian Fellowship, helped organize the event and provided carnival games for kids to play, and had members of their church offer their professional services including a balloon making clown and face painting.

I would like to say, on behalf of everyone involved, that the event was a success!  Everyone worked hard to show our appreciation for our community and give back in a way that really expressed our gratitude, and we hope the community enjoyed themselves.  We hope to host more community events very soon, and are looking at the end of the summer to help families and children get ready to go back to school.

From walking around Soldier Field and by the lakefront, to hosting a community barbecue after the walk, June 26th was a wonderful day.  Sadly, I will have to wait until next year to be part of it again, but I am looking forward to it, and hope many more will join me. So far, SJOM has raised $390 of its $1,500 Hunger Walk goal!  While the walk is over, it’s not too late to donate to this cause.  By pledging SJOM through the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Hunger Walk, you will help us cover costs we acquire by ordering food for our programs from the Depository.  Your contribution will help feed a homeless man, woman or child in SJOM’s programs.  Help us by pledging TODAY.  Visit our team page at: Click Here for our team page!

Also we have only until July 29th to take pledges and raise funds for it!

Thank you for your support, can’t wait to see you out there next June!

 

 

-Gabriel Romero, Website Writer.