WINK News Hunger Walk fundraising begins

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The WINK News Feeds Families Hunger Walk fundraising season has officially begun with a total goal of $330,000.

WINK News and the Harry Chapin Food Bank are partnering once again for the 8th annual event that will take place January 16, 2016.

“Forty-percent of our clients are kids, so helping those kids, helping seniors, and helping the underemployed are what we are all about,” said Al Brislain, president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank.

For every dollar donated, $6 worth of food is provided by Harry Chapin, equaling $1.9 million worth of food.

The Hunger Walk takes place thanks in part to sponsors like the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and Garden Street Metals.

“You always like to know your money is going to good use,” said Rob Weber, owner of Garden Street Metals. He says when people are hungry, you never know what they might do.

“A lot of people, in the downturn of the economy and stuff, they were collecting scrap and a lot of people make a living off of selling scrap,” said Weber.

That’s why he knew he needed to get LCSO in on the effort.

“I was able to convince Mike Scott to come on as a presenting sponsor as well, quite simply by asking one simple question. ‘Have you ever arrested a person on a full belly?'” said Weber.

Sheriff Scott agrees that the efforts are worth your safety.

“To an extent, a hungry person is more likely to steal if you think about it,” said Scott.

The sheriff’s office says some of the money donated comes from what is confiscated from criminals.

“Who better to pay for that than the people, who in essence, have taken away from society?” said Scott.

“People don’t understand, that people coming out of the recession are still having a hard time, and there are a lot of people underemployed still,” said Brislain.

Various areas in Southwest Florida, such as Collier County, are in high demand.

“One in four kids in Collier County, often don’t know where their next meal is going to come from,” said Brislain.

You can begin making a difference this Sunday by donating to the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s Fill Our Fleet food drive which runs from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

To register for the Hunger Walk visit Harry Chapin Food Bank website.