Meet the Makers: Des Moines Area Hunger Hike
We are extremely excited to support and spread the word about the upcoming Des Moines Area Hunger Hike.
When we started out Meet the Makers series we wanted to be intentional about filling our space with every type of “maker” we could find. To us, being a “maker” isn’t just someone who builds a tangible object. Our definition of a maker is any one person or group of people who have created something for themselves or their community from a place of passion and love.
That’s why we are so pumped to have the Hunger Hike crew in our space - because they started with an open heart and a passion to find ways to bridge the hunger gap near and far.
We asked the Hunger Hike crew to share a little bit about how they got started, the upcoming hike and how people can support their mission moving forward.
Let's start by introducing Des Moines Area Hunger Hike. Who powers this mission?
The Hunger Hike is a non-profit organization with over 50 years of history in Des Moines. Our mission is driven by the congregations, institutions, and individuals who hike and donate funds that are then awarded to organizations working to alleviate hunger both here in Iowa and around the world. The Hunger Hike Board is comprised of dedicated volunteers who plan, fundraise, and run the hike year after year.
How did the Hunger Hike get started?
The Hike first began in 1969. Edward O'Rourke, then director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, had a first-hand look at poverty in our neighboring country, Mexico. He was concerned with the plight of Latin American people and instituted a partnership that consisted at first of a youth exchange. For 6 weeks each summer, an Iowa youth would live with a Mexican family and a Mexican youth would stay with a host family here in Iowa. The youth exchange soon broadened into concerns about agriculture, water supplies, public health, the general economy, and more. Partners of America was founded as a response to those concerns, with the state of Yucatan names as Iowa's sister state. Leonard Wolf from the Agency for International Development introduced Father O'Rourke to the fundraising pattern he saw used in England - youth walking and collecting pledges. The inaugural Des Moines Area Hunger Hike took place shortly after, in 1969.
What is the goal of the Hunger Hike?
There are two main goals:
We walk...
To increase community consciousness and concern about local and world-wide hunger and its root causes.
To raise funds to be used by non-profit agencies and programs to help alleviate the problem of hunger.
How many people attended last year's Hunger Hike? How many do you hope to attend this year?
In 2018, we had just shy of 300 attendees participate in the Hunger Hike. We hope to have a beautiful, perfect fall day for hiking and well over 300 hikers in attendance this year.
What are some challenges the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike faces?
We're always looking for passionate volunteers to join our board or to help us plan and run the Hike each year! It can be a bit of a challenge to get everything done, especially since we are a 100% volunteer board - but that also shows how much a small group of dedicated people can accomplish if they are working toward making a positive impact on an important cause. Donor and participant outreach is another significant challenge. We choose not to allocate funds towards paid marketing, and instead use connections we have throughout the community to get the word out. These connections are so valuable to the Hike!
What are 3 ways people can help strengthen the impact of the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike?
Participate
Spread awareness
Donate (or buy a cool shirt from the Side Garage!)
Can people support your mission if they're not able to participate in the hike?
Yes, if you cannot attend the hike, you can still donate. We have a donate link on our website homepage, to donate by Paypal or credit card. You can also send a check by mail to: Des Moines Area Hunger Hike PO Box 489 Des Moines, IA 50302 You can also purchase a shirt at Valley Junction Farmer's Market on September 26th to screenprint your own shirt or tote bag. A portion of the proceeds go towards the Hike.
Where can people follow along and support your mission throughout the year?
Join us on Thursday (8/29) for our September Meet the Makers event with Des Moines Area Hunger Hike.
This year’s hunger hike shirt:
