St. John's Outreach holds walk to help stop hunger

In an effort to be able to help more people who are in need in the community, St. John’s Outreach will be holding their first walk.

It’s a Community Affair to Help Stop Hunger walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 10 at St. John’s Outreach. Those participating will have their choice of a three-mile or one-mile trek around Lockport.

Registrations is $8 per walker or $20 per family. There will be refreshments and entertainment provided. Prizes will be given to the most funds raised.

The family based event invites people to walk, roll or stroll the course, while helping those in need.

Outreach Program Coordinator Deborah Dimmig said over the past several months they have not been receiving as much food from the food bank. At the same time, the number of people needing meals for the pantry has increase 20 percent from this time last year.

“There is not as much to go around,” said Outreach Director Michael Boron.

He said basic staple items like vegetables and soup are down. When this happens, the needed items have to be purchased. All proceeds from the Community Affair to Help Stop Hunger walk will benefit St. John’s Outreach Sister Helen’s Pantry.

“We have to be able to go and purchase the food and make sure people have enough to eat,” said Dimmig.

Currently, each month the pantry serves around 350 families or 1,200 people. Each family is given enough food for three meals per month. The state’s WIC program ideally provides enough food for three weeks a month and the Outreach helps fill the gap for the fourth week.

Dimmig said the pantry is there to help families when they are in need. She said there are times when rent is due, the car breaks down and people still need to feed their children. They have to choose because they have to feed their children but if they don’t fix their car they can’t get to work and will then have no money in the future. The Sister Helen’s Pantry is there during emergency times.

Those interested in participating in the It’s a Community Affair to Help Stop Hunger walk can register from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday evenings at St. John’s Outreach Center, 160 Chestnut St., Lockport.

For more information call 433-5252 or email ddimmig@stjohnslockport.org.