The UIC women's basketball team and coaching staff will participate in the Hunger Walk benefitting the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) and the UIC Pop-Up Food Pantry Saturday morning.

The team and its team of mentors have already raised hundreds of dollars for the food pantry.  The walk will help heighten awareness and support of food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters throughout Cook County that work every day to combat hunger.

The Hunger Walk is just the latest in a long line of community service events that the team has participated in.  "As part of the Chicago community, our team is looked up to as role models, and it's important for us to set a positive example," head coach Regina Miller said.  "This is an especially important event because it will benefit students right here at UIC.  We are looking forward to participating in the walk and giving back to the campus community."

The UIC Pop-Up Pantry combats food insecurity among students.  The pantry has served over 3,200 bags of food since its inception in 2014, and is partnered with the GCFD to access fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy.  It is free for any student who is experiencing a decreased access to food due to budgetary constraints.

The Hunger Walk will take participants through two miles of Chicago's beautiful lakefront in Jackson Park.  Over 17,000 people have registered for the event, which will be the 32^nd annual incarnation of the area's largest anti-hunger rally.