The 33rd Annual Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) Hunger Walk has gone virtual, offering safe event participation while raising vital funds to aid escalating numbers of adults and children in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FAM, a South Orange County nonprofit agency supporting families and individuals at risk, will hold this year’s Hunger Walk over three days, Sunday, October 25 to Tuesday, October 27. Participants may “walk, run or roll anywhere, anytime,” and share photos and videos of event progress with FAM and on FAM’s social media, according to organizers.
Proceeds to aid rising numbers of adults and children in need due to pandemic
“Together we can combat hunger and now, more than ever, we need your help spreading hope to those facing hardship,” explains CEO Elizabeth Andrade. “Hunger Walk proceeds are critical to maintaining those services in these difficult times.”
Pandemic’s Impact Soaring
According to Elizabeth, the number of people requesting FAM’s help has more than doubled since COVID-19 hit Orange County earlier this year. The agency has recorded more than106,000 additional individual encounters with people in need. More than 1,300 new clients have signed up with FAM, doubling case management clients, tripling the number of case management hours.
In addition, since March, FAM has doubled the pounds of food distributed during this same time period last year.
Helping Combat Hunger
Event registration information is available on the Hunger Walk website. Walkers, runners or cyclists may take part individually or in teams. You can even golf! Participation fees—adults $30, students and children, $10—include an event t-shirt. A $5 pet fee includes an event bandana.
Recognition for the top individual fundraiser includes $500, the second-top fundraiser, $200. Other recognition will be awarded for the top fundraisers for each team, business, school, club, civic organization and church.
The 2020 Hunger Walk is dedicated to the memory of the Reverend Dr. James A. King, former pastor of St. Andrews by the Sea Methodist Church and founder of the event in 1987. Dr. King, whose favorite Scriptural passage was, “As you have done it unto the least of them you have done it unto me,” passed away last March.
Hunger Walk sponsors include Maxwell & Company, CPAs, Inc., San Juan Hills Golf Club, STEGO Industries and the Sullivan family. Sponsorship details are available on the Hunger Walk website.
About FAM
Founded in 1999, FAM assists those in need in Orange County through case management, provision of food, rental, transportation, utility assistance, providing workforce development, clothing, diapers, and personal care items. These resources and personalized supportive counsel and aid help clients bridge the gap from dependency to self-sufficiency. Headquartered at 1030 Calle Negocio in San Clemente, FAM last year provided 3.6 million pounds of food to hungry neighbors and $4.6 million in food and personal care items to struggling Orange County residents. The organization has been awarded a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a Silver Seal of Transparency from Guide Star/Candid, two nonprofit evaluating agencies.
