Interfaith Hunger Walk coming soon

-- Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- On Oct. 23, hundreds will gather for an autumnal stroll

along Upper Newport Bay to raise money as part of the 11th annual United

Interfaith Hunger Walk.

Community members will gather together, some carrying banners and

placards, united in their fight against hunger.

The 7-kilometer walk will begin and end at St. Mark Presbyterian Church.

This year, organizers are hoping to attract 350 participants and raise

$35,000.

Last year’s walk raised a record $22,000, with about 300 people

participating.

Every day, more than 34,000 children under the age of 5 die from hunger

and preventable disease, according to the Church World Service.

“One of the goals is to raise awareness of the hungry, even in our own

neighborhoods,” said Cindy Brauer, spokeswoman for Wahoo’s Fish Tacos,

one of the sponsors.

There also will be live music, games, and food and drinks.

Of the money raised, 25% will go to local organizations and 75% will go

to worldwide charity groups.

Local organizations that have received money in the past include: Share

Our Selves, Shelter for the Homeless, Jewish Family Services, Friends in

Service to Humanity, Orange County Interfaith Shelter and Catholic

Worker.

FYI

WHAT: United Interfaith Hunger Walk

WHERE: The walk begins at St. Mark Presbyterian Church on Jamboree and

East Bluff, next to Corona del Mar High School.

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.

CONTACT: To participate, call Dennis Short at (714) 645-5781.

To volunteer, call David Shammas at (714) 434-3643.