Visitor industry walk a generously tasty tour: in its 7th year, this family event raises funds for a variety of charities.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Alaska This Month

This month offers Alaskans the chance to sample some of our state's fine food outdoors, while burning off calories and at the same time raising money for numerous nonprofit charities-all part of the 7th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

More than 1,500 people are expected to turn out in Anchorage May 5 for the charity event. Walkers will start at the west end of the Park Strip at 5:30 p.m., then travel throughout downtown where they can stop at various stations along the way, sampling the cuisine. Known as the "5k graze to raise," walkers end up back at the Park Strip for the grand finale, featuring dessert, live entertainment, a beer and wine garden, games and prize drawings.

"It's a fun, all-inclusive family event allowing the community to get out and spend time together on a beautiful spring day," said Karen Rogina, VICW co-chair.

Patty Barsalou, executive director of the Downtown Soup Kitchen, said the funds received from the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk covers about two months of the operating budget. "That's huge because we don't get any federal funding. The money raised at the charity walk enables us to keep our doors open throughout the summer," she said. The soup kitchen serves an average of 350 meals to low-income residents and the homeless every day.

According to the VICW, the event has raised $911,179 statewide during the past five years, with nearly 20,000 walkers raising funds for their causes. Since 2000, Anchorage has raised more than $743,000 in cash sponsorships, raffle revenues and funds raised by the walkers. Last year the total was more than $75,000.

Laura Tanis, public relations manager for the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau, said other Alaska cities are planning charity walks as well...