The 10th annual WINK Feeds Families Hunger Walk was a rousing success Saturday, with hundreds of walkers raising an estimated $305,000 to help the Harry Chapin Food Bank feed the hungry in Southwest Florida.
The weather was perfect for walking, and young and old, including lots of pets, strolled the two-mile route around the Miromar Outlets in Estero. It was a great way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the food bank’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
“We’re so excited and touched by the support of our community,” said Richard LeBer, food bank president and CEO. “Every year the Hunger Walk gets bigger and bigger and we serve more and more people.”
The Walk supports emergency food programs that feed children, families, seniors and others in need through the food bank’s network of more than 150 partner agencies. These agencies operate food pantries, soup kitchens and other feeding programs that serve 28,000 Southwest Floridians each week.
All funds from the Walk will stay in the five-county area that the food bank serves: Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
First-time Walk chairwoman Kayla Richmond, an attorney for Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. , said she was impressed with the turnout and enthusiasm. “It was really exciting for me,” she said. “It was very humbling to see everyone come out and support my cause, including family and friends.”
The Walk is presented by Bill Smith Electronics & Appliances and the Copperleaf Charitable Foundation. The lead sponsor is the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Gold sponsors are CenturyLink, 7-Eleven, Lipman, Suncoast Credit Union, and Tamiami Ford-Hyundai-Genesis. We thank them and all our supporters.