Second Harvest Column - 03/16/2007

By Lois Rockhill

Let's take a walk! It will be a group thing. If you are not up to a 5K, perhaps you can sponsor someone who is - like me - I hope! Homeward Bound is a project among local homeless and affordable housing providers across the State of Indiana. The state event is championed by the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Great Lakes Capital Fund. The local Delaware/Madison County event takes place April 15th at noon at the Millcreek Community Center in Chesterfield.

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is the Honorary Chair of Homeward Bound for the second year. The event has raised more than $1.4 million statewide since 2003 to help prevent and end homelessness in Indiana.  Last year the Lt. Governor walked in the Indianapolis event with Sam Brown. "The day was wet and gloomy, but Sam's story about how he got off the streets and became an executive chef was an inspiration".

This year's Homeward Bound in Chesterfield was announced by Lt. Governor Skillman at a press conference at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana last November. She told us that she would be walking this year "as a tribute to my Aunt Rebekah, who operated the only shelter and community kitchen in my hometown. After many years of service, the shelter closed when she was physically unable to run it". Lt. Governor Skillman issued the challenge to all to "help us help the nearly 100 organizations that can keep the doors of Indiana's shelters and community kitchens open". A `Team Skillman' will be at each event in the state with the Lt. Governor appearing when able - look for their blue hats!

The Chesterfield event is the only one scheduled for East Central Indiana and one of ten in the state. The total goal is to raise $500,000 to fight hunger and homelessness across Indiana. Our local goal is $40,000.

Funds raised by this annual event help homeless citizens with shelter, food and other emergency assistance needs. Participating agencies in the Chesterfield walk include A Better Way, Alternatives Incorporated of Madison County, Beauty for Ashes Transitional Home, Bridges Community Services, Inc., Dove Harbor, House of Hope, Learning Choices - Muncie Community Schools, Salvation Army in Madison County, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Stepping Stones for Veterans, The Center for Mental Health, Inc., and the YWCA of Muncie.

If you didn't see your favorite pantry, kitchen, shelter, day care, senior or youth program in that list, try going to our web site at www.curehunger.org and check out the agencies supported by Second Harvest throughout the eight counties of East Central Indiana. We invite you to form a team for any agency we support. Use the agency name in the name you give your team and designate Second Harvest as the participating agency. All funds you raise will be used to provide food at no cost to that agency and will help us reach our Second Harvest goal of $10,000. Go to www.homelesswalks.org to make a donation or form a team. We are the Second Harvest Steppers but whichever team you choose to walk for or sponsor, you will make a difference in the lives of people in need.

Sponsors are always important in charity events to help cover expenses necessary to raise the money. This year kudos go to The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County - a Silver Sponsor at $2,500, Gill Brothers Furniture and Kohl's Cares for Kids, Bronze Sponsors at $1,500 each, National City a Route Sponsor at $1,000, and STAR Financial Bank and Dalton & Company with $500 sponsorships. Alpha Psi Omega and WQME are offering in-kind entertainment to help these dollars go even further.

April 15th will be a day of hope for the many citizens in our communities who face homelessness and struggle with housing issues. Let's take a walk together that Sunday. Let's help our neighbors with the resources they need to be Homeward Bound.

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc.

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