FEET In The STREET Walk Is a Fund and Friend Raising Success
First Annual FEET In The STREET Walk To End Hunger and Homelessness Is a Fund and Friend Raising Success
150 supporters enjoyed a perfect Fall morning at Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden, NJ on Saturday October 10, 2015 as they participated in the first annual FEET In The STREET Walk to End Hunger and Homelessness. Sponsored by Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSMNJ), the walk raised funds and awareness for the 10,211* men, women and children in New Jersey who experience homelessness on any given night. The proceeds from the walk will benefit New Visions Homeless Day Shelter—an LSMNJ program located at 555 Atlantic Avenue in Camden. New Visions regularly sees 150 people in need of a meal, shower, laundry, clothing and supportive counseling a day.
For photos of the walk – go to our Feet in the Street Flickr Gallery.
FEET In the STREET
“We named the event ‘FEET In the STREET’,” explains Executive Director of the LSMNJ Foundation Beth Gebhart, “to remind people of a basic fact of the homeless condition. Men, women, and children without a permanent place to call home often spend a good part of everyday on their feet and in the street.”
Like all LSMNJ programs and services, the walk was open to all and was specifically planned to accommodate persons of all ages and fitness levels. Participants could choose to walk a 2.5 or five-mile route, or support the event by sponsoring a walker. “The FEET In The STREET walk was planned to be family-friendly,” Beth noted, “but was also perfect for individuals or groups of friends who just wanted to get out on a beautiful Fall day to help others. Participants didn’t need to be a fitness buff or toned athlete to put their ’feet in the street’.”
… On the Road
When the walk was announced, an unanticipated bonus was the groundswell of support from residents and staff at LSMNJ’s senior living and care programs across the state. Many wanted to participate in the walk but realistically couldn’t travel to Camden. To meet this need, alternate mini-walks were planned and called “FEET In The STREET … On the Road”. These five events—held at LSMNJ sites in West Caldwell, Jersey City, Pennsauken, Old Bridge, and Mt. Olive—included school children, seniors, and church groups all walking together to help folks in need. In addition to raising money, many FEET In the STREET … On the Road participants donated staple food items and/or new socks–highly valued by the homeless who live their life on their feet.
For photos of all our “On the Road” walks – go to our Feet in the Street “On the Road” Flickr Gallery.
More Than $33,000 Raised
With one mini-walk still to be held, to date, 340 people took part in FEET In The STREET walks through LSMNJ and raised more than $33,000 as well as donations of canned goods and new socks. One can’t put a value on the good will and pleasure in doing something for others that was an obvious common bond among those at all the walks. Thank you to everyone who helped make this first annual walk such a success.
*Point-in-time count 2015