LCS’ 30th Annual Hunger Walk/Run Finishes Strong

Our 30th annual Hunger Walk/Run took place on a sunny, warm September 18th. The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd welcomed us back to their beautiful grounds. Volunteers set up tables and canopies to offer shade. The planning committee organized a variety of activities. Kudos to Linda Ulmanis, Doreen McGrath, Shirley Saunders, Anne Pilson, Tim Dambaugh, and Alex Mazzei for working through so many details! Some folks with too much going on that day came by to help before running to their next event. Volunteers did everything we needed. We had music, food, games, a bright red fire truck, and most importantly many smiling faces! That energy and outpouring of love made this year our most successful in raising funds for our food programs.

We missed having some of our usual supporters in person, but they led us in fundraising and joined us in spirit. The top two adult fundraisers Jan Hufnal and Fred Melton raised an amazing $31,000 between them. Our dedicated sponsor Harold Wenger of Wenger Wealth participated in the day despite recently breaking a hip. Claymont Fire Company gave tours of their truck and donated food and funds to our food programs. Jay’s Fil-Am Mobile Cuisine and Woodside Creamery provided breakfast and ice cream. Souls on Fire (St. Mark's Praise Band) and Ryan Bacher treated us to music before and after the walk/run.

Michelle Torres, a Community Healthcare Worker with ChristianaCare, shared information on the Delaware Food Farmacy. Michelle, along with Jenn Williams, the Food Pantry Coordinator at LCS, and our Executive Director Rob Gurnee, awarded a certificate and swag to the program’s first graduate, Liz. You’ll hear more about Liz’s journey in an upcoming blog story.

LCS staff member Lyn Budd also had a table set up to share information about our Smoking Cessation program. Not only does smoking cause physical damage, but the financial strain is considerable. LCS partners with the Delaware Quitline to offer information, coaches, and stop-smoking aids.

We also want to express our appreciation to local businesses who donated prizes for our raffle: Hollywood Grill; Old Country Gardens; Honey Bee Kitchen; and Bowlero (Kirkwood Highway). Please support these neighbors as they try hard to make it through the pandemic.

The walk/run itself went from Good Shepherd and through Chatham neighborhood, around Talley Day Park, and back to the church. Top runners included John Auger (top male), Joleen Deluz (top female), Georgie Smallwood (top youth male), and Sadie Sheppard (top youth female). Thanks to Tim Dambaugh and his team for setting up the route. Hope Munson, our first place Youth fundraiser, was our honorary starter. We also want to thank Dr. David Maleh, Kathy Collard, Dr. Joseph Disanto, Monique Lloyd, and Dr. Maria D'Souza and Dr. Jessica Stevens for manning our first aid stations.

We are happy to report that this year we raised over $71,300 to benefit our food programs! This amount breaks our fundraising record for the Walk/Run, and we couldn't be more thankful! 

View an album of event photos at this link.