The St. Vincent DePaul Society of Christ the King Catholic Church will host its fifth annual Friends of the Poor Walk on Sat., Sept. 28.

Susan Gantt said the local event, which coincides with a national event, is designed to raise awareness that people in the local community have need, and to raise funds to meet those needs.

Locally, the need is great. In 2012, the local conference of St. Vincent DePaul served more than 1,300 families and distributed 23,321 pounds of food.

“We have helped people who in the past have given to us,” Gantt said. “You never know when an accident or illness will alter a family’s circumstances.”

Thus far, the local conference has served 857 families and distributed 14,198 pounds of food.

Students from Andalusia Middle School will lead the two-mile walk, which is not a race. AMS’s Peer Helpers, Binders Club, football team and cheerleaders are participating. Students who are middle school aged and younger are asked to contribute canned goods or financial pledge. Adult and high school students are asked to help collect financial donations. (Checks should be made payable to Christ the King Charity Account.)

“One hundred percent of the funds raised stay in Covington County,” Gantt said.

Last year, there were 200 walk locations in the United States attracting more than 19,000 walkers and raising more than $1.8 million.

The event begins at Christ he King Catholic Church on Sanford Road at 8 a.m. Registration is from 7 a.m. until 7:45. Walt Merrell, Covington County district attorney, will give a short talk before the walk begins.

The walk will be followed by breakfast in Lyons Hall. Face painting and cake walks are planned, and Andalusia Regional Hospital will provide wellness checks for participants.

For information, call the St. Vincent office at 222-4858. Walkers under age 18 must have a waiver form signed by a parent.