Hundreds March Against Hunger in San Clemente

About 500 residents and volunteers temporarily took over Avenida Del Mar for Family Assistance Ministries 25th annual Hunger Walk, which began and ended at the Community Center Sunday afternoon.

“There are a lot of people and families who don’t have homes today,” said Mayor Jim Evert. “It’s wonderful to be here and support this hunger walk.”

 FAM is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for homelessness prevention as well as food and aide donations. As of last Monday, FAM had raised $31,000 and hopes to raise a grand total of $75,000 from the event. 

 “We feel very supported by the city and the community,” said FAM Executive Director Mary Gray Perdue. “On my very first hunger walk, my (now) 19-year-old was 3, and I pulled her in a wagon while my 7 and 10-year-olds ran it.”

 Families and friends stretched and laughed in the partly cloudy weather to up-beat music while dogs impatiently waited for the annual stroll up Del Mar towards the newly built El Camino Real Ralphs grocery store.

 “I have worked as a volunteer for FAM for four years and I’m passionate about it,” said Volunteer Sara Sullivan. “I like that it serves the local community. It humbles me every time I’m here.”

For more information about how to get involved visit the Family Assistance Ministries website.