Local social providers raise nearly $100K for services

Participating agencies on Tuesday received more than $29,000 — their share of this year’s “Hunger Hike” proceeds.

The joint fundraising effort was organized by Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders Food Bank and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center. It took place Sept. 20-21 and raised a record-breaking $95,000.

Despite that effort, the fundraiser fell short of its ambitious $125,000 goal set in April.

On Tuesday, the money was divided among the three organizations for various projects:

LUM has used its portion to expand hours at LUM/St. John’s food pantry. That expansion was prompted by a Feb. 23 Journal & Courier story examining gaps in the local food pantry network, including the dearth of evening and weekend service hours.

Food Finders, meanwhile, will use its portion to continue offering mobile food pantries several times a week and supporting backpack programs at local schools.

St. Thomas will boost the church’s Haiti ministry, which will equip Haitian farmers with a bean crop that can outperform the crop they’re currently using by tenfold.

The hike was originally displaced by the planned upgrade of the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge, prompting relocating the event to West Lafayette’s Levee Plaza.