After 22 years of successful “Marching for More than a Meal” Walkathons, it’s probably safe to say that walking for a good cause is one of Bay Ridge’s strong suits.
Raising over $11,000 at this year’s walkathon for its home-delivered meals program, the Bay Ridge Center is happy to say the program is thriving and growing by the day.
“What’s great about this event is it’s our 22nd year, but it’s really still grassroots,” said Bay Ridge Center Director of Outreach and Development Todd Fliedner of the Saturday, September 17 walkathon. “This is an event the community really helps run, so for me, it’s relatively easy. [The money] is going towards our home-delivered meals program and it’s important to mention it has increased dramatically over the last few years. The client list has grown by 300 in the last three years. We serve almost 600 people a day and the senior population is on the rise.”
The 1.9 mile walk followed a course that began at the center (411 Ovington Avenue) and continued along Third Avenue to 83rd Street. The walk then moved up on 83rd Street to Fifth Avenue and continued back to the center.
Community members, religious groups, Scouts, schools and corporate teams turned out for the worthy cause.
“We call it More than a Meal because sometimes [the person delivering the food] could be the only person they’re seeing all day,” added Fliedner. “It’s important contact with the outside world so that’s why a program like this is so important.”
Fliedner also mentioned that, while this was the first year the late Larry Morrish – a big supporter of the center and the program – was not in attendance, his wife Phillipa Morrish flew in from Florida to march in the walkathon and made sure to don a shirt with his picture on it.
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