Walk Out of Poverty History

by | Mar 17, 2025 | Uncategorized

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Hello Friend,

We hope you can join us for a historical event over 40 years in the making! Concern America’s Walk Out of Poverty is an opportunity to help build a more just future one step at a time.
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The first ‘Hunger Walk’ began in 1976 where our early supporters gathered to walk across Orange County in solidarity with those living in material poverty, raising funds to address the basic needs that many are still without: health care, clean water, and the absence of economic opportunities. This first Walk generated $1,330.
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Former Board Member Diane Rezendes taking a break during 1983’s Hunger Walk
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A group of walkers raise awareness walking with signs in 1983’s Hunger Walk
Our annual ‘Hunger Walk’ was later changed to ‘Walk Out of Poverty’ in 1997 and since then, has grown in participation, donations, and sponsors, with up to 800 walkers and raising over $85,000!
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Walkers join together at the 4th Hunger Walk in 1979
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Concern America Volunteers check-in excited walkers before the 1988 Hunger Walk begins
We Turn Walking into Action
The work of Concern America’s trained field volunteers, health promoter practitioners, water system builders, and educators is currently impacting the living conditions of over 255,000 people. Even more so, the transformative work of Concern America’s community-led health and community development models invests in the people themselves, building upon their own experiences, knowledge and skills to save and sustain lives.

However, we recognize that 1 in 10 people (785 million) still lack basic services (World Health Organization, 2019) and are further impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
This is why we need you. If you believe in the power of long-term solutions, in the power of people coming together to change an unjust system, join us. If you believe in supporting community members living in material poverty, as they become their own health care providers, water system builders, educators, and artisan cooperative members and owners, we ask you to join us.

Together, let’s walk out of poverty and create community-led health care that works for all.
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80’s fashion and exuberant smiles, these Orange County youth hold a banner in support of Concern America’s Hunger Walk.