Life

Signup opens for Sept. 22 Hunger Walk

By Robin Tolleson, Published: August 30, 2012

The Hunger Walk, the annual fundraiser of the Henderson County Hunger Coalition, will take place at Jackson Park in Hendersonville on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Last year's walk netted nearly $90,000. Those donations were then distributed by the Hunger Coalition to Interfaith Assistance, the Rescue Mission, Council On Aging, Fishes & Loaves, Mainstay, The Salvation Army, Blue Ridge Health, WCCA, the American Red Cross, and MANNA, Storehouse, and Calvary Episcopal food banks.
 "They turn in a request for money, tell us how they're going to use it and who they're going to serve," said Pat Fisher, chair of the Hunger Coalition. "We stress, and they know, that it's all for food, and that the money stays in Henderson County."
Fisher points to several new programs the Hunger Walk is helping fund.
The Council On Aging's Meals On Wheels is now providing boxes of four shelf-stable meals with water to clients in case of inclement weather days, as well as providing meals for the disabled under-60 population, according to Fisher.
The Blue Ridge Health Center has instituted a drive-by hydration program. "One of their pushes in the last year has been taking bottles of water out to the fields for workers," Fisher said. "They're careful about not disturbing the work, but they want it [water] to be available."
And, Western Carolina Community Action is again offering vouchers for seeds for those wishing to start their own gardens. "People can get plants or seeds, or a combination, and then grow their own produce," Fisher said. "They can eat it through the summer, and I understand that in some cases they've learned to can or freeze."
Fisher has served on the Hunger Coalition board since 1994. "When the agencies come in and tell us what they're able to do with the money we give them, we feel like it's worthwile," she says. "To me the most important thing is just getting the word out.
"In a sense, I feel that to a number of people in Henderson County, hunger is hidden," she adds. "They don't really know it's out there. I'd like to get the word out that there is a great need."
This year's event will feature the usual 5- and 10-mile walks as well as new 1- and 2-mile "Fun Walks" for  short-distance trekkers. Registration is at 8 a.m. at Shelter 1 in Jackson Park on Sept. 22 with the walk beginning at 8:30.
Interested walkers can pick up pledge envelopes at the reception desk at Mud Creek Baptist Church, 403 Rutledge Drive in Hendersonville.
For more information contact Pat Fisher at 828-693-4940 or lefpfisher@yahoo.com.