Hunger Walk hopes to raise $800K

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands of people took to Chicago's lakefront Saturday for the annual Hunger Walk, an event the Greater Chicago Food Depository says helps feed one in six people in Cook County each year.

"I've been able to eat good, feel good about myself, grow and move on," said Derek Stevens.

A record 15,000 people participated this year, among them Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and ABC7 News anchors Judy Hsu and Terrell Brown helping to kick the event off.

Many walkers say it's an easy way to help so many families that otherwise wouldn't know where their next meal will come from.

"It's a humbling experience," said walker Tonya Morgan. "It's a great opportunity to help others in need and lend support whether it's monetary or coming out here to walk."

With one out of six people in Cook County struggling with hunger every single dollar raised helps.

"All of the support that is raised (Saturday) go towards a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters that are on the frontlines of providing food to people in our community everyday more than 800,000 men women and children are turning to this network to give them food that they need," said Kate Maehr, Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The organization is hoping to raise over $800,000 for the cause and donations are being accepted until the end of July.