By Jeff Sovelove
Hunger. It’s a word that people don’t associate with affluent areas like Morris County, but it exists everywhere.
That’s why the Community Soup Kitchen & Outreach Center in Morristown held its 21st annual Hunger Walk on Sunday.
Volunteer Coordinator Julie Hess explained: “There are hidden pockets of poverty even in places like Morristown. Many are the working poor and some even work two jobs but still can’t make ends meet in a high cost-of-living area like this.”
Slideshow photos by Jeff Sovelove:
The Soup Kitchen is on a mission to raise $100,000, and the nonprofit is well on its way to that goal, thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors and walkers.
“We get a lot of middle and high-schoolers out for this event, and it’s great to see them getting involved,” said Hess. She said more than 1,000 people turned out for Sunday’s Hunger Walk.
Each walker received a card telling one part of a real story of a guest at the Soup Kitchen. Additional parts were distributed at five locations along the route, to personalize the experience.
A number of four-footed walkers participated as well, and they seemed to enjoy the day even more that their human companions.
After the walk, everyone was invited into the Soup Kitchen for hot soup, snacks, and cookies. Hunger was not an option.
