History of the Walk for Rice

• Walk for Rice was created in 1991 by concerned community members to address hunger and the lack of resources available to purchase food items essential to the Asian Pacific American (APA) diet.
• First held on Beacon Avenue South in 1991, Walk for Rice raised $2,500 with 45 walkers.
• After moving to Alki Beach in 1996, hundreds of walkers raised $7,000 to feed hungry APAs.
• After moving to Seward Park in 2000, more than 500 walkers united against hunger to raise $108,000.
• In 2002, a new Food Bank, dedicated to founders Sam Mitsui and Herb Tsuchiya, opened on 919 S King Street in the International District.
• In 2006, Walk for Rice was awarded $5,000 for “Excellence in Community Resource Development” by Food Lifeline.