MEDIA RELEASE

Will Zucker is hiking against hunger. Zucker, sales manager at Mahalo Broadcasting (LAVA 105.3fm/KKOA 107.7 fm/KHNU 620 am), will walk the 126 miles from Hilo up the Hamakua Coast, through Waimea and Waikoloa to Kona, to raise awareness of the need for donations to Food Basket.

Zucker says his goal for this year’s Hike Against Hunger is 110,000 pounds of food, or the equivalent, donated at KTA stores around the island during his hike. But he says he really hopes to get to 150,000.

In his 2011 Hike Against Hunger, he raised the equivalent of 100,000 pounds of food — a combination of nonperishable food donations and cash, which the Food Basket uses to buy food.

The Food Basket is an island wide, supplemental food network that collects and distributes nutritious, high quality food to low income households, the working poor, the disabled, the ill, senior citizens, children’s programs and other charitable organizations that serve this population. Supplemental food is provided regardless of religious beliefs, gender or ethnicity.

Zucker’s schedule:

* 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov, 3 & Sunday, Nov. 4
Accepting donations for KTA at Puanaiko

* Nov. 6 & 7
Walking up the Hamakua Coast, camping out overnight, with plans to arrive at KTA Waimea for 3-7 p.m. food collection Nov. 7.

* Nov. 8
Walking from Waimea to Waikoloa KTA for a 3-7 p.m. food and donation collection.

* Nov. 9
Walking from Waikoloa to KTA in Kailua-Kona in the Kona Coast Shopping Center for 3-7 p.m. food and donations collection.

* Nov. 10
Walking from the Kona KTA to Keauhou KTA, for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. food and donation collection.

* Nov. 11
Final day of food and cash collection 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at KTA Keauhou.

This is Zucker’s fourth annual Hike Against Hunger.

Hawaii Island Food Basket says the holidays are the most desperate time of the year, with the demand for food being highest. They are seeking donations of nonperishable food, especially meats and protein. They also welcome cash donations, as each dollar donated can purchase seven pounds of food.

Those wishing to “Walk with Will” should call him at 990-0990.

For further information, call Nani Lee, Hawaii Island Food Basket director, at 933-6030.

— Find out more:
www.foodbaskethi.org