"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in . . .  The King will reply. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me."

Matthew 25:35 and 40

More than 40% of Maine kids under the age of 12 show some evidence of hunger

19,375 Maine children are hungry.

An additional 64,087 children are at risk of hunger.

10% of Maine households, representing 141,000 people, experience food insecurity.

Hunger and the risk of hunger are widespread among Maine's low-income families with children.

The likelihood of experiencing hunger or the risk of hunger is directly related to income.

Children living in households which experienced hunger or the risk of hunger are more likely to experience health or school-related problems.

Adults are even more likely to experience hunger in low income homes. Adults in four out of five households surveyed indicated that they sacrificed for their children by eating less, skipping meals entirely, or by eating less nutritional food.

Several groups are found to be at greater risk of hunger in Maine; children, adults in low income families, disabled persons, persons with special needs, the elderly, those living in rural regions and the inner cities of Maine's largest urban places.

One in three jobs in Maine does not pay enough to cover the basic needs of a family of three. Many others are seasonal, less than full time, or offer only partial benefits.

Several factors contribute to hunger in Maine; including income growth that is outpaced by cost of living; high level of underemployment; widening gap between rich and poor; illiteracy; and lack of consumer information on nutrition.

Reprinted from The Good Shepherd Food Bank website. For more information and statistics on hunger in Maine and across the United States, please visit their website at www.gsfb.org.

3rd Annual
Six Mile Walk In Bridgton
To Raise Funds For Local Food Pantries
Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 8:30 a.m.
Held Rain or Shine

Organize a Team - Walk With A Friend - Come By Yourself

Refreshments After The Walk
Prizes for Most Donations Received On Or Before Walk
for Individual and Business/Civic Groups

“Rise Up & Walk for Hunger” supports our local food pantries through the Good Shepherd Food Bank, which will use the funds to help the following food pantries in the Lakes Region Area:

Bridgton-United Methodist Church, St Joseph’s Church, Casco-Casco Alliance Church, Casco Village Church, Naples-United Methodist Church, Harrison-Seventh Day Adventist Church

Today, Good Shepherd Food Bank feeds about 70,000 people each month. Who are they? They may be a neighbor, a co-worker or even a family member…. many who never dreamed that they would be needing help. A gift of $10 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank provides 48 meals!

In order to walk all you need to do is have people sponsor you. With just a few sponsors you can make a big difference. Share with your friends what their donations to your walk will accomplish.

Good Shepherd is willing to process your pledges via credit card directly. You may reach them at 782-3554. Please specify that the donation is for the "Rise Up and Walk for Hunger Event". Their website is www.gsfb.org.

You may also bring your pledges with you on the day of the walk. Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Food Bank and make note on the check that it is for the "Rise Up and Walk for Hunger".

WHEN: Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 8:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on the day of the walk
LOCATION: Bridgton Alliance Church, 368 Harrison Rd (Rt 117), Bridgton, ME 04009

THE COURSE:

The walk is a 6 mile moderate loop starting and ending at the Bridgton Alliance Church. Walking the entire course is not required. You may walk just 1 or 2 miles. Transportation back to the church will be available along the route.

Starts at the church then proceeds south on Rt 117 to Middle Ridge Road, then to Highland Road, then to Dugway Road, and then back to the church.

The Sponsor Sheet is on the back of the event brochure which you can download as a PDF file and print out. FOR MORE INFORMATION: If you have questions not answered in the event brochure, please direct an e-mail to walk@bridgtonalliancechurch.org or call the church office at 207-647-2027 between 9 a.m. and noon weekdays.