Friends of the Poor Walk

Talk of the recession being a thing of the past is making national headlines.

And while all signs point to the U.P. holding its own in these economic times, many people here continue to struggle.

The St. Vincent de Paul society is one of many local charities that helps fill in the gaps for people in the community who are in a financial crunch.

Annie Truedell, financial aid coordinator for the group in Ishpeming, says some of the stories are heart-wrenching.

During the summer, St. Vinnie’s provides a meal a day to the needy children.

Truedell says they served nearly 150 kids.

Soup, noodles, energy drinks, dried fruit, peanut butter, jelly, crackers and trail mix bars are some of the items included.

These items are not only purchased with donated funds, but several grants and the generosity of local merchants help stretch the money.

A major source of funding is the Friends of the Poor Walk.

More than 16,000 people are expected to walk this Saturday in the third annual event.

The Marquette walk will begin at 9 am at Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

The Ishpeming walk will start at 2pm at St. Joseph’s Church on Prairie Avenue.

Registration begins about a half hour before the walk.

For more information on either walk, you can call 360-3311.