The current economy has made the need for food donations and meal programs even greater than in years past. As need for food rises because more people are experiencing cuts in salaries and layoffs, less people are contributing food and monetary donations to food banks and meal services overall.

Associated Ministries’ annual Pierce County Hunger Walk Oct. 10 hopes to raise $250,000 to help fight hunger in families and individuals across the county.

Now in its 29th year, the largest hunger walk in the Pacific Northwest has helped raise an average of $200,000 a year, which translates to more than $1 million a year in food distributed to hungry children, families and seniors.

More than 140,000 children, seniors and adults seek help finding food in Pierce County. Of these individuals, 52 percent are children and 14 percent seniors. Ninety-eight percent fall below the national poverty line. Almost half are families with at least one adult working.

During 2008 there were a total of 844,551 visits to food banks and 833,230 visits to hot meal sites in Pierce County. Last year, about 1,000 residents gathered for the 28th annual Hunger Walk, raising more than $220,000.

All funds raised go to addressing the issue of hunger both locally and globally and support local food banks and international hunger programs. Fifty percent of all donations go to Pierce County Emergency Food Network - which supports 70 food distribution centers and hot meal sites. The other half may be designated to any hunger relief agency. For every dollar donated, Emergency Food Network is able to distribute $12 worth of food to the community.

At 10 a.m. Oct. 10, walkers will depart on either a 5k or 10k route, starting at First Christian Church on the corner of 6th Avenue and Orchard Street in Tacoma. The 5k route travels north from the church to North 30th Street and back. The 10k route follows 5k to North 30th and then travels west towards Union Avenue, going through the Proctor District, and then back to First Christian Church. Individuals and teams of walkers can raise money for the event by soliciting monetary support from friends, family and community sponsors.

Live music by the David Ottey Band, food, and children’s activities, such as face painting and games, will be available to participants before and during the walk. Walkers can register online at www.pchungerwalk.org or in person from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. the day of the event. Can’t walk? Monetary donations are also accepted at the Hunger Walk website.