For the first time ever, an OTP parish has claimed the Bishop’s Cup as the top fundraising parish from the Diocese of Atlanta at the 2026 Hunger Walk Run.
All Saints Episcopal Church in Warner Robins received the honor and outsized trophy during its July 12 Eucharist service. Dr. Lindsey E. Hardegree, Executive Director of the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia (ECF), preached at the service and presented the trophy which comes with a $3,500 grant for outreach.
“Of the more than $17,800 received by ECF at this year’s event, 75% was raised by parishes that fall outside of the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s service area,” Hardegree said of the main beneficiary of the event. “That truly shows how this is an effort that our entire diocese can embrace. ECF extends the reach of this annual event so communities across our diocese can benefit.”
A Friendly, Fierce Tradition
Established in 2014 as a friendly competition by Bishop Rob Wright, the Bishop’s Cup is a trophy described as “very large, obnoxious, and fun” displayed for a year by the winning parish.
“Congratulations on the Stanley—I mean the Bishop’s Cup,” quipped the Rev. Dr. John F. McCard, the celebrant of the July 12 service.
Before the “Walk with the Saints of Middle Georgia” team won in 2026, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta) dominated for eight straight years (2018–2025), raising over $150,000 in that span.
In fall 2025, St. Paul’s Atlanta partnered with Emmaus House to launch the St. Paul’s – Emmaus House Food Pantry with a three-year grant from ECF. The Food Pantry, located within ACFB’s service area, is one of more than 700 nonprofit partner agencies which distributes food collected by ACFB throughout the year. As a partner agency, the funds St. Paul’s Atlanta raises for the Hunger Walk Run (totaling over $30,000 in 2026) directly support their own food pantry in the form of credit to purchase food. As a result, St. Paul’s Atlanta is no longer competing for ECF’s Bishop’s Cup.
More than 25 parishes across the diocese mobilized teams, and the fundraising frontrunners included St. Catherine’s in Marietta, Grace-Calvary in Clarkesville, and Good Shepherd in Covington. The Hunger Walk Run is an opportunity to live out the diocesan mission to challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually.
This year marked the Hunger Walk Run’s 42nd year and its strong ties to the Diocese of Atlanta. It is a partnership between the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which got its start at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. Its benefiting partners include ECF.
This year’s event raised a record $1,073,086, which provides up to 3.2M+ meals to Georgians experiencing food insecurity. Each year, the food bank distributes over 112 million meals a year to 700 nonprofit partner feeding programs in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.
A Shared Legacy
The Bishop’s Cup “is a symbol of our collective efforts and All Saints’ deep commitment to outreach, with a strong focus on community engagement,” team captain Stephanie Johnson said as the “Walk with the Saints of Middle Georgia” team geared up for the 2026 event. “We’re always looking for new ways to serve and connect with our neighbors, and every participant on our team plays a vital role in that mission.”
During the trophy presentation and celebration at All Saints on July 12, Johnson made a special acknowledgment of the unseated St. Paul’s Atlanta. She welcomed Dr. Belinda McIntosh, their team captain, and presented a special commemorative plaque. “You all have been a beacon for us in more ways than one,” Johnson said.
Team member Clifton Jeffers accepted a plaque acknowledging his generous donation in memory of his late wife, Clauradella Skerritt Jeffers, who helped manage the All Saints food pantry.
She was aware of the campaign as she battled cancer, and passed away on March 15, the day of the Hunger Walk Run. Johnson said her legacy lives on, “knowing that local communities will benefit from their generous support, alongside All Saints’ triumph in the Bishop’s Cup.”
Outreach Targets in Warner Robins
The $3,500 prize will expand All Saints’ vital outreach:
- Boosting Daughters of the King service projects to provide annual care packages—including warm clothing, hats, and gloves—for 200 unhoused individuals.
- Assisting Westside Elementary and Parkwood Elementary with activities and resources that some families struggle to afford.
- Supporting the Breaking Barriers outreach program, which provides crucial utility assistance to local families and individuals in need.
When asked what advice she would offer to other parishes looking to build a successful fundraising team for future Hunger Walk Runs, Johnson encouraged leaders to lean into what makes them different.
“Each parish shares similarities, such as using the Book of Common Prayer for its order of service and following God, but they differ in their uniqueness—whether it be culture, personalities, leadership styles, relationships, or the unique gifts of their members,” she said. “My advice is for parishes to embrace their uniqueness and incorporate successful strategies from others where possible.”
ECF received $17,852.74 in proceeds for the 2026 Hunger Walk Run which will be distributed for hunger-related grants in the Foundation’s fall 2026 grant cycle. Learn more about ECF grants – the next deadline is Sept. 30.
View Photos from the ServiceThis article was originally published on July 16, 2026 as “All Saints Warner Robins Claims 2026 Bishop’s Cup” on the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta website.
