SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, September 21, 2014.  Today, 1,800 people walked to end global poverty in the annual San Antonio Partnership Walk/Run at La Villita Historic Arts Village. The San Antonio Partnership Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds that reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health in Africa and Asia.

Today’s event raised over $293,000 for AKF USA programs worldwide. 100% of the funds raised at Partnership Walk / Run go directly to projects supported by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administration.

The event was a day of fun for the whole family. Young children ran in the iRun, a 100-yard dash.  All attendees enjoyed a lively entertainment program celebrating a rich diversity of cultures in the amphitheater along River Walk.

Keynote speaker Al Suarez, Mayor of Converse, Texas, expressed his commitment of support to Aga Khan Foundation’s cause. “I am a big supporter of the Aga Khan Foundation. As a child I grew up right here in San Antonio with a very large family in poverty-like conditions. I will never forget that. I know what it is like to be hungry as a child. I know what it is like to attend school hungry and to go to bed hungry. I am here to do my part to fight global poverty. Together, we will all make a difference in the fight to end global poverty. We can do very little individually, but we can make a big impact together.”

This year marked the 20th anniversary for Partnership Walk events, which are being held in eight major U.S. cities. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction activities including the annual Partnership Walk, Run and Golf events have attracted over 440,000 participants and raised over $63 million for poverty alleviation projects supported by AKF USA.

Read the full press release here.