ACRS Walk for Rice co-founder Sam Mitsui passes away
On March 24, 2019, beloved ACRS champion and Walk for Rice co-founder Sam Mitsui passed away. For decades, Mr. Mitsui’s passionate enthusiasm and tireless efforts helped shape and grow ACRS’ annual community fundraiser, which draws thousands to Seattle’s Seward Park in June to “Walk for Rice” in support of ACRS’ Chinatown-International District food bank.
Nearly 30 years ago, Mr. Mitsui co-organized the first Walk for Rice with Herb and Bertha Tsuchiya to fight hunger in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Their vision was to create a tradition that brought people together to end hunger, as individuals and as a community.
The Walk began after Mr. Tsuchiya, a retired pharmacist, saw the many people in line at the ACRS Food Bank. He noticed most of the food donated was not typical of the Asian diet. This need ignited the idea by Mr. Mitsui and Mr. Tsuchiya to organize a walk to raise funds to feed people in need, particularly in the AAPI community, and provide food that was culturally relevant and familiar.
Supported by local community churches Blaine Memorial United Methodist, Chinese Baptist, and Japanese Baptist, the three launched the first inaugural Walk for Rice in 1990 on a pedestrian path on Beacon Avenue S. with 45 participants. Their efforts raised $1,800 that year.
“In the beginning, I would never dream we could raise almost a million dollars in 25 years to support The Walk for Rice,” Mr. Mitsui said in 2015. “The memory I always have is the generosity of the community. Because without them, this could never have happened…that always amazes me.”
Mr. Mitsui continued to support and participate in ACRS’ Walk for Rice each year until he reached his 90s. While the ACRS family is saddened by his departure, we also celebrate and have deep gratitude for his compassionate spirit, generosity, and legacy, which live on and continue to inspire us to make a better and more just world.
A memorial service for Sam Mitsui will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, 3001 24th Avenue S. in Seattle.
