Brooklynites took a walk to combat hunger

You may think it’s impossible to improve the life of families inneed just by walking your dog. However, over 100 people did justthat on October 15 at the third annual Walk Against Hungerpresented by Reaching-Out Community Services.

For the second year, the two-mile walk through Dyker Park alsoincluded the Dog Walk Against Hunger. The two simultaneous eventsdrew a combined total of 350 participants and raised over $11,000for the non-profit organization, which provides food pantry serviceto 4,000 low-income families as well as services like bloodpressure screening and summer tutoring.

The reason we [include the dog walk] is because we do providepet food for pet parents, explained Reaching-Out founder andExecutive Director Thomas Neve. So we combine that as well.

Neve started offering free food and clothing to Brooklynhomeless shelters out of his van in 1989. The next year, he beganrenting a storefront space for goods storage, and in 1992Reaching-Out Community Services was born. Although the non-profitcurrently faces a money crunch that may force them to cut servicesto 500 families in November, Neve says the primary goal of theevent is to spread awareness of the cause.

The main motivation for the walk is to help bring awareness tothe sorrow and shame of hunger in the neighborhoods around us, hesaid.

To make a donation to Reaching-Out Community Services, visit theorganization’s website at www.rcsprograms.org or call718-373-4565.