The Walk for Hunger is tomorrow. I have to be up at five and on the road by six. I have 20 minutes to write this.

The Walk for Hunger  is the day I discover how much more I need to train over the next few weeks to be in shape for Relay June 22-23. The 20 mile hike is largely flat and runs through some of the visually nicest parts of Greater Boston. Last year, we started just before 8 a.m. and finished around 3:30 p.m. There was not much left in the tank at that point, but it told me I could do the other walks I needed to do–the Marathon Walk in particular.

Tonight, I went to Field of Dreams Clam Cake Event to load up on carbs for tomorrow. Their Relay event went well–they sold out by 6 p.m. At least for now, they have taken a commanding lead in the friendly competition between their group and ours. We will tighten the gap again over the next month as our two major efforts take place: the Pasta Supper on May 30 and the Yard Sale at the Westport Grange June 3.

Fundraising events are going on across the country right now for local Relays for Life. In New England, we are also marching into the season for Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber charity events. Spring, summer and fall are filled with events that are trying to raise money for causes that truly need all the help they can get.

So in between your trips to the mountains or the beach–or whatever else you do in the nicer months–take the time to stop at the local craft fair or spaghetti supper. As state and federal budgets continue to tighten, those seemingly insignificant 5K runs every town seems to have become more and more important to the organizations who rely on them to help fund their budgets and the good works they do.

The Walk for Hunger has nothing to do with fighting cancer. It helps to feed families across the state who often have to choose between eating and paying the utility bills. With the end of the school year in sight, many children will be losing the one sure meal they have each day: the school lunch they get for free because of their circumstances.

I know we all can’t do everything people ask us to do. But if we all do a little where we can, we all benefit.