This year will mark almost 30 years since folks across Maine started putting their feet to the pavement (or trail) to raise money to help Bangor's homeless population.

2023 Hike For The Homeless 2, Mishael Romanelli
2023 Hike For The Homeless 2, Mishael Romanelli
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Boyd A. Kronholm, Executive Director of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, says their yearly "Hike For The Homeless" event has evolved quite a bit since it first started 30 years ago when it was just the news team from a local television hiking up a Katahdin.

"It evolved into 4 local starting points (Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, and Hermon) converging at the waterfront. We moved it to a virtual hike for a few years during the pandemic.  We now begin and end at the waterfront."

What started with a handful of people now attracts hundreds, Kronholm says some events have had participants numbering upwards of 700.

2023 Hike For The Homeless 3, Mishael Romanelli
2023 Hike For The Homeless 3, Mishael Romanelli
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They took a 4-year hiatus of doing live hikes because of Covid. 2023 marked their first year back in person.

He says the Hike for the Homeless event has now become the Shelter's biggest fundraiser of the year.

In 2024 alone, the Hike raised over $37,000 for The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

courtesy of Hike For The Homeless
courtesy of Hike For The Homeless
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The event takes place rain or shine, as folks who braved the sleet and freezing rain of last year's event can tell you.

This year's event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 5th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on the Bangor Waterfront. They are looking for both participants to gather pledges and take part in the Hike, and also sponsors.

You can find more info on their Facebook Event Page.

2023 Hike For The Homeless, Mishael Romanelli
2023 Hike For The Homeless, Mishael Romanelli
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If you're interested in signing up for this year's "Hike" you can click here.

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Gallery Credit: Sarah Nickerson

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