Neighbors walk through Naperville scenery to help food pantry

The inaugural Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising walk covered 2.5 miles of scenic Naperville Saturday with a shorter option for those not up to the full walk.

The event was organized by St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish to assist Loaves and Fishes Community Services in Naperville.

Despite the threat of ominous weather on the horizon, "I plan on walking no matter what," said Gus Fischer of Naperville, who promoted the walk.

After volunteering at Loaves and Fishes earlier in the year, Fischer said he came to the conclusion that the need was great in the area. He decided to get more involved and told his church's justice and outreach minister, Tom Cordaro, that the church should act to help. Cordaro signed on and the planing begun. Fisher was given the task of developing the route for the walk while others worked on the details.

"Here at St. Margaret Mary we try as best we can to serve the whole community, not just our own," Cordaro said. "This is a great opportunity to do a something for our community we live in."

More than 100 people participated in the walk.

"This is very a grass-roots effort from a very caring parish," said Miranda Barfuss, the special events manager from Loaves and Fishes in Naperville.