One race against hunger

Bryce Alderton

About 325 people gathered under a blanket of gray sky in Newport Beach

on Sunday to walk along the Back Bay, learn about one another and help

fight world hunger.

The 13th annual United Interfaith Communities Reaching Out to People

Hunger Walk was one of 2,000 walks held nationwide to raise funds to

educate and deal with world hunger.

The six-mile walk took participants from St. Mark Presbyterian Church

along the Back Bay to the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center and

then back to the church.

Imam Mostafa Qazwini of the Islamic Education Center of Orange County

in Costa Mesa began the walk with a prayer and then hoisted the American

flag as he led walkers down East Bluff. Along the way, Qazwini cleared up

misconceptions about the Muslim faith.

“For us as Muslims, [the walk] has a lot to do with what happened

Sept. 11. We want people to make special notice of Muslims here, that we

want to show unity and solidarity with members of other faith

communities,” said Qazwini, a first-time participant. “[The walk] was

very pleasant, knowing that you can walk with people of different faiths

in Orange County for a noble cause.”

The Rev. Dennis Short of Harbor Christian Church in Newport Beach has

partaken in the walks for more than 10 years and said he also enjoys

seeing those of all backgrounds attend.

“Hunger affects people of all faiths,” Short said, as he waved to

neighbors. “The nice thing about these walks is that people learn about

world hunger, and also learn about people in their own community who are

hungry and homeless.”

Walk coordinator Bob Johnston was very pleased with Sunday’s turnout,

which eclipsed the original estimate of 250 walkers.

“We’re very pleased to see these communities reaching out to people,”

Johnston said. “I expect fund-raising to go up.”

Donations had totaled $26,000 as of 4 p.m. Sunday. About 25% of funds

raised help Orange County organizations such as Share Our Selves, The

Orange County Interfaith Shelter, Jewish Family Services and Catholic

Worker. The remaining 75% goes to worldwide charity organizations.

[ Irvine resident Joyce Oelschlager, a seven-year walker, came on

Sunday in support of Catholic Worker, a national organization with

offices in Santa Ana that helps feed and house the homeless. Joining her

was friend and Costa Mesa resident Paul Schmitt, who walked for the first

time.

“I’m ready,” said Schmitt, as the two looked toward the crowd of

walkers gathering at the starting line.

“This is such a nice group of people from all different faiths. A

thing like this brings people together to stamp out world hunger,”

Oelschlager said. ]

Sunday was Costa Mesa resident John Manly’s second time at the walk,

and he was joined by 30 of his fellow worshipers from Mesa Verde United

Methodist Church in Costa Mesa.

“It’s good to see everyone together, the oneness of sharing wealth to

those folks that don’t have as much,” Manly said.

* Bryce Alderton is the news assistant. He may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .