Hunger Walk Raises More Than $30,000

By LEE ANNE SANDERSON Special to the Palisadian-Post About 200 Pacific Palisadians joined together at the Palisades Branch Library for the 33rd Annual CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday afternoon. (Communities Reaching Out to People) Hunger Walk. The Westside Food Bank will receive 25 percent of the funds raised by the event, and the rest will go to Communities Reaching Out to People to help fight hunger worldwide. ‘We’ve already received more than $30,000,’ said Hunger Walk treasurer Bruce Rosen, ‘and we expect that this may end up being a record year for our event.’ The festivities kicked off with Kehillat Israel’s Didi Carr Reuben, who welcomed everyone and acknowledged the event’s generous sponsors. She introduced Genevieve Riutort from the Westside Food Bank, who spoke about all the good use that funds raised will provide. “Year after year, the Palisades Community has been a wonderful partnership and our largest contributor,” Riutort said. Many local fourth graders participated in a contest for the design of the T-shirt. The winner was Natalie Wiegand with her colorful personified vegetables that hold hands with big smiles as they walk together to fight hunger. As walkers registered for the event, the town’s Oom PaPa band (of Fourth of July parade fame) entertained the audience, and artists from The Ideas Studio provided face painting for the kids. Western Bagels donated bagels, while others brought cream cheese and fruit. To kick off the walk properly, Lydia McMahon and Elizabeth Edel sang the national anthem. Participants then embarked on the leisurely 5K walk though town for about an hour. About 90 fourth graders from Marquez Charter Elementary School, St. Matthew’s Parish School and Calvary Christian School all strolled together. Annually, more than 2.5 million CROP walkers, volunteers and sponsors put their hearts and souls in motion to raise more than $16 million to help stop world hunger. After completing the Walk, participants were treated to performances by Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center. A Japanese black belt performed, as did fourth grader Chandler Booth, who used his fist to break a plank of wood. The Funky Divas, led by Kelly Lyans, performed a dance routine featuring girls, ages 7-10, from the Village School and the Willows Community School. During these performances, Palisades Pizza and Piccomolo Italian Ice Cream sold food and refreshments, with some of their proceeds benefiting the Walk. This year’s Walk was overseen by Don Mink, who has chaired this event for 11 years, and Bruce Rosen from the Westside Food Bank, whose involvement with the Walk goes back 15 years. Palisades CROP organizers would like to thank the generous sponsors: Bain & Co., Chefwear, The Ideas Studio, Paramount Studios, K & M Center, Kehillat Israel, LikeMe.net, Nadeau Furniture, Newbridge College, St. Matthew’s Parish, U.S. Trust, Union Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank.