The 12th annual Mission Bay Hunger Walk in partnership with Community Christian Service Agency is Saturday, April 22 from 8 to 10 a.m. 
Sign-up for the 5k walk or jog event starts at 7:15 a.m. at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay Park, with the walk starting at 8 a.m.
The event’s purpose is to raise awareness and seek donations to combat the persistent and now growing problem of hunger amidst the abundance we see all around.
The CCSA Hunger Walk, begun in 2006, has been attended by mayors and council members along with thousands of San Diegans. 
CCSA operates in San Diego County to feed and clothe the homeless and working poor.
It was founded in 1973 as a non-profit organization by seven churches. During its 40-plus years of service, CCSA has grown to include more than 30 member churches in the greater San Diego area. The agency is supported by hundreds of individual donors, businesses, small grants, various fundraising efforts and by its aforementioned churches.
CCSA currently has three paid staff. The organization relies primarily on hundreds of generous volunteers to deliver its services. CCSA proudly points out that more than 97 percent of donations go to its needy clients.
CCSA currently administers to 400-500 homeless every month from its Pacific Beach location and to more than 1,500 working poor and unemployed people, and their children, from its center in Clairemont every month. 
CCSA offers food, clothing, hygiene items, medical attention, employment assistance, referrals for social services and outside aid. The donations received by CCSA for the Hunger Walk are essential to enable CCSA to provide services to the many needy people who come to its doors seeking assistance.
It’s estimated there are presently some 9,500 homeless in San Diego County – 18 percent of whom are veterans. There are another million working poor in the county on the edge of homelessness. Many of these are families who cram into houses or apartments with other families to be able to afford rent and help make ends meet. 
Hunger affects more than homeless people. Hunger is the constant companion of tens of thousands of San Diego’s working poor and unemployed. A recent San Diego Food Bank survey tells us that of San Diego County’s 3.1 million residents, almost half a million (462,269) live in poverty – 15.1 percent of the population. Of this number, 137,084 are children. These individuals face “food insecurity” which means that little or no food is available at home and often they will not know how they will get their next meal.
There is no registration fee. Walkers are encouraged to solicit family members, friends, and neighbors to sponsor the walk by making donations to CCSA. This can be accomplished through CCSA’s member churches or a visit to the website: www.CCSASanDiego.org
The first 100 walkers to register (at the website above) will receive a free CCSA Reusable Water Bottle. 
There will be a drawing for gift cards generously donated by local businesses including restaurants. The drawing will be held at the end of the walk.