A Brookfield pastor will be stomping local ground this month in an effort to help stamp out hunger.

Chaplain Dan Cesene of Faith Assembly of God Church plans to walk 500 miles in 10 days, and said if he could he'd walk 500 more.

He will try to log 50 miles a day with support from his church congregation and others. Linda Grove of Greenville joined with Cesene to help with half the burden and began taking personal pledges that will benefit New Life Maternity Home, Vienna.

Cesene mapped out a 25-mile course through Hubbard, Brookfield, Vienna and Liberty Township and began walking Monday in the Hubbard and U.S. Route 62 area. The walkathon runs through Wednesday.

He's received much support from the community and calls it a "blessing and an encouragement."

"Many pastors in the area have also been supporting me," he said, adding that several church members have assisted in any way they can, from providing nutritious lunches, water and power bars to helping bandage his legs before walks.

When starting out, Cesene made the mistake of going for the gusto, which produced painful shin splints in return. He had to spend a few days walking on the Hubbard High School track. He said the level surface helps to nurse his shin splints.

"I plan to get back on my course as soon as possible," he said.

He got the idea for the walk after going to Africa this past summer to help the needy. While there he visited a friend who did a similar walkathon years ago. His project served as an inspiration for Cesene. This past summer he spent a day jailed on the roof of the Brookfield administration building for charity.

The walkathon is dedicated to Chelsie Boyce of Brookfield, who has perseverance, dedication and also happens to have a terminal illness, he said. Her husband Charles serves as associate pastor Faith Assembly.

Arrangements have been made with several local businesses to collect food and funds for the hungry. Cans have been set up at area businesses for food and monetary donations. The administration buildings in each municipality have set up donation pots.

Food can also be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Second Harvest Food Bank, 1122 E. Midlothian Blvd, Youngstown.

All food and proceeds will be distributed locally through the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Master's Table Ministries in Brookfield and the food pantry at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Brookfield.

Second Harvest distributes food to non-profit organizations to help feed the hungry in Ohio's Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The food bank donates to church pantries, homeless and battered women's shelters, soup kitchens, and children and adult day care centers.

Last year the food bank distributed 4.1 million pounds of food, said Rebecca Martinez, director of development. This year the food bank will donate about 4.5 million pounds of food, she said.

"Agencies are telling us the increase of children coming to soup kitchens has increased, which is a real tragedy."

The food bank is in need of turkeys for Thanksgiving, but can always use cereal, peanut butter, tuna and salmon.

Contributions can be made by calling Chaplain Dan Cesene at (330) 503-8894 A walkathon celebration will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Brookfield administration building. It will feature refreshments and live music.