7th Annual Walk to End Poverty Make a Difference – Take the Power of 10 Challenge!
Saturday, May 19, 2012 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lake Merritt, Oakland
Oakland, CA – Take a stand to end poverty by committing to the “Power of 10 Challenge” and form a team of 10 for the 7th Annual Walk to End Poverty on Saturday, May 19th at Lake Merritt in Oakland. This FREE event is being hosted by your local Alameda County - Oakland Community Action Partnership to raise awareness and educate all Alameda County residents about the social factors that impact poverty (www.OaklandCAP.org).
With more than 1.5 million residents in Alameda County, almost 199,500 children, women and men are struggling to pay the rent and purchase food. Some 13.5 percent of Alameda County residents live under the federal poverty level (2010 U.S Census Bureau American Community Survey). That means that a family of four has an annual household income of less than $22,350 and a family of two has an annual income of less than $14,710.
CCEB's CEO Solomon Belette at the Walk to End Poverty Challenge
“Homelessness, lack of employment, poor health and hunger – poverty’s consequences – can be severe,” says Estelle Clemons, Manager, Alameda County – Oakland Community Action Partnership (AC-OCAP). Envision an Alameda County where every woman, man and child no longer struggles to meet life’s basic necessities of food, shelter and clothing. “Almost 20 percent of Alameda County’s children live below the federal poverty level,” Clemons says. ”The goal of the Walk to End Poverty is to encourage participants to take a stand against poverty and the horrible effects it is having on our families who live within our communities.”
Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Lake Merritt bandstand – across from the Garden Center at 666 Bellevue Avenue. The walk starts at 10 a.m. and the first 500 attendees who bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Alameda County Community Food Bank will receive a free t-shirt. Immediately following the walk, a community fair will be held to educate and inform the community about available programs, services, and opportunities for those who qualify.
Enjoy live entertainment provided by local artists who are committed to social change. Local elected officials will also be on hand to share their ideas and position on how we can collectively work together to address poverty– because together we can make a difference!
