Oct. 17, 2024
BY JOHN BAILEY
Whether it’s a family just trying to make ends meet or it’s a single parent worried about meeting basic needs, the one thing our local soup kitchens and pantries can always provide is a hot meal and welcoming space.
And one of the greatest celebrations of support for this outreach is the annual Hunger Walk in downtown Newton, hosted by and benefiting The Corner Table in Newton, Ashure Ministry in Newton and the Hickory Soup Kitchen.
This year’s event was held on Oct. 13 with over 400 participants and with a goal of up to $55,000 in monetary donations.
“It's clear that (the Hunger Walk) not only raised awareness about food insecurity but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among participants,” The Corner Table Executive Director Summer Jenkins said. “The turnout was impressive, showcasing strong support for our cause.”
Impact In 2023:
- Hickory Soup Kitchen served more than 225 plates of food daily - https://hickorysoupkitchen.org/
- Ashure Ministry – gave out 2.5 million pounds of food item - https://ashureministry.org/
- The Corner Table (Newton) – served meals to 47,543 guests - https://www.thecornertable.org/
“This event has shown what we can achieve when we come together with compassion and purpose. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s support,” Ashure Ministry Executive Director Kristal Manning said.
This was the first year the Hickory Soup Kitchen participated in the Hunger Walk and HSK Executive Director Austin Pearce was impressed by the support he saw for the event.
“Summer and Kristal are incredible to work with, and all the volunteers were great. I look forward to next year,” Pearce said.
To find more resources in Catawba County to help those in need visit nc211.org or dial 2-1-1 to access the United Way of North Carolina’s human services resource line.