Hunger Hike participants gathered this past Sunday to to raise awareness and raise funds for food programs locally, regionally & globally — through the work of Lafayette Urban Ministry, Food Finders and the Haiti Ministry at St. Tom’s.

This year was extra special because Hunger Hike 2017 is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. To help us celebrate, remarks and well wishes were offered by State Senator Ron Alting, State Representative Sheila Klinker, State Representative Sally Siegrist, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, Tippecanoe Superior Court Judges Steve Meyer & Sean Persin as well as representatives from our sponsoring organizations — Joe Micon, Lafayette Urban Ministry; Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, St. Thomas Aquinas Center and Katy Bunder, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.

Before it all began the crowd was treated to  Zumba with Brooke & Kasie from  Studio b Dance & Fitness and the  National Anthem sung by Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker & her daughter, Kelly Jacobs, director of music for the Cathedral of St. Mary. Throughout the entire event , there was live music by Rat Pak Mobile DJs,  face-painting &  balloon animals from the Unlimited Smiles Clown Ministry, and massages from Lee Anne Akers of  Essential Touch Massage. Although Honorary Co-chair Dave Kucik, Purdue Crew coach, was not able to join us this year, Jason Mitchell, the assistant coach, and the entire team were in attendance.

The Honorary Co-chair Sharon Versyp, Purdue Women's Basketball coach, fired up the crowd before they set off on the 3K hike for hunger. Purdue Pete, Purdue Cheerleaders, Purdue Crew Team and Purdue Women’s Basketball Team led the hikers up the John T. Myers Bridge and on the Wabash Heritage Trail along the Wabash River. Hunger Hike concluded with a  Celebration Picnic with hot dogs, chips & bottled water for all participants (courtesy of  Texas Roadhouse,  Frito Lay &  Aqua Systems).

Hunger Hike once again successfully brought much needed attention & funds to the battle against malnutrition, food insecurity & hunger.

Each year at this time about 85% of the Hunger Hike goal has been reached. So it's important that you still raise funds and give. Here are 5 ways you can still help Hunger Hike reach its goal:

LUM Immigration Clinic in partnership with Ayuda y Aprende offers Spanish Conversation Tables, a weekly, lunch-time series — free and open to the public.

The weekly program has returned for the Fall semester and is meeting each Wednesday from Noon to 1:00 p.m. at the LUM Office conference room (420 N 4th Street, Lafayette).

Lifelong learners will gather each week during their lunch hour to learn and improve their conversational Spanish — and connect with their Spanish speaking neighbors. Participants are encouraged to bring along a friend and a brown bag lunch. Esperamos verle allí.

For more information, email Susan Brouillette ( sbrouillette@lumserve.org) or click HERE.

The LUM After School Program has expanded to serve 80 students from each school corporation in our area -- SO -- a new Bus Driver is needed. Drivers transport children from their schools at dismissal time to the ASP site at First Christian Church, Lafayette, in one of LUM's 14-seat buses.

Please consider signing up NOW to become a Bus Driver  for this important ministry and make a difference in the lives of children. If interested please call or email the LUM Youth Programs director, Amanda Bajzatt (765-423-2691 |  abajzatt@lumserve.org  ).

Joe Barry Carroll will read from his new book, Black American Values: Shared Culture, Values & Emotions, a celebration of culture, storytelling and art. The program sponsored by the West Lafayette Public Library is FREE and will include narratives, photographs and images from The Betty and Tony Zamora Collection of Art. Following the discussion, Mr. Carroll will present a special book crafting workshop for elementary and middle school students.

Event details are as follows:

The Indian Womens Association and Greater Lafayette Immigrant Allies present A Dash of Desi from the Immigrant's Kitchen — a book launch & fundraising dinner. The event includes a multi-course dinner with recipes from the book, cash bar, wine, entertainment and a copy of the book. All proceeds from the dinner benefits GLIA; proceeds from the book sales benefit IWA.

Event details are as follows:

IWA has come out with a gorgeous new cookbook that is a must for anyone who enjoys cooking. Dash of Desi is a unique collection of recipes put together by the members of the Indian Womens Association (IWA) in the Greater Lafayette area. If you think this is yet another tired book with recipes for paalak paneer or butter chicken, you will be pleasantly surprised. This book contains recipes handed down through generations, as well as contributions from professional chefs. Regional as well as modern 'fusion' recipes round out this collection making it a must-have for your collection.

Greater Lafayette Immigrant Allies promotes fellowship among all immigrants and allies, educates the community on immigrant issues, and advocates for immigrant rights to create a safe and welcoming Greater Lafayette community. 

The autumn season is here and with it comes cooler nights, colorful trees, pumpkins, football and having fun outdoors with friends and family. But it is also a season for preparing. In addition to preparing for the winter months — also spend some time preparing for the future.

This fall, spend some time creating a personal legacy by continuing your support of the mission of  Lafayette Urban Ministry beyond your own lifetime. During our lifetimes, we support our neighbors with our gifts to LUM, but by creating a legacy through Planned Giving your support of our ministry will continue for all perpetuity.

It’s a win-win  Estate Planning strategy for you and LUM. In addition to the altruistic benefits, your charitable gift to Lafayette Urban Ministry brings tax relief — and also allows you to make a larger gift to LUM than you could make from your income alone. Whether you use  cash, appreciated securities/stock, real estate, artwork, partnership interests, personal property, life insurance or a  retirement plan, the benefits of Estate Planned Gifts can make this type of donation attractive to you as a well as LUM. We also hope you will  remember Lafayette Urban Ministry in your will.

First, meet with your professional advisor to learn how informed estate planning can increase the overall value of your estate with a gift of tax-burdened assets (like IRAs, 401(k), or savings bonds) to Lafayette Urban Ministry. When you are ready to begin the conversation, please  email or  call Joe Micon, LUM executive director, who is eager to meet with you ( jmicon@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691). To give to LUM online, click  HERE.

Whatever you decide — enjoy this season with your family and friends — and think for a moment about the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry and the families we serve.