Parish Fundraising Results in More than $30,000 for Hunger-Related Grants

On February 25, 2018, the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia (ECF) partnered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and local faith organizations for the 34th Annual Hunger Walk Run. Episcopalians walked, ran, or volunteered for the Diocese of Atlanta, with 45 teams formed in support of ECF. Prior to the 5K walk and run, 150 youth and adults attended a Eucharist service celebrated by The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, with a powerful sermon by Father Ricardo Bailey.

“The Episcopal community showed up in full-force to support those facing food insecurity throughout our diocese,” said Justin Streeter, Board Chair for the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia. “16.2% of the people living in Georgia are food insecure, and when our parishes join us for the Hunger Walk Run, they are demonstrating how this is unacceptable. We’re proud to be able to offer these grants to efforts within our community that are tangibly fighting hunger.”

The 2018 Hunger Walk Run was an incredible success, and through the immense fundraising efforts of parishes around the Diocese, ECF has received more than $30,000 to support local hunger-related ministries and organizations. ECF is dedicated to funding opportunities for Episcopal parishes to work with their local community and nonprofits to serve people experiencing poverty and oppression. With that in mind, ECF will grant these funds to the following organizations for their partnerships with our parishes:

• Community Helping Place, who partners with St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church (Dahlonega), will receive a grant of $6,000 to support food purchasing for its clients.
• Midtown Assistance Center, who partners with All Saints Episcopal Church (Atlanta) and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta), will receive a grant of $16,500 to increase its supply of fresh fruits and vegetables for its clients.
• St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta) will receive a grant of $7,593.60 towards renovating the kitchen space of its Malachi’s Storehouse food ministry.

This year, Bishop Wright issued a challenge for the Bishop’s Cup – the parish that raised the most funds for the Hunger Walk Run would receive the coveted award trophy as well as a gift of $3,400 to be used for the parish’s outreach ministries. The competition was particularly fierce, with St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church working to defend their title for a fifth year. However, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta) prevailed by raising a whopping $10,931, winning the Bishop’s Cup for the first time! St. Bartholomew’s came in a close second place with $8,805. Special recognition goes to the following parishes who each raised more than $1,000 to fight hunger in our Diocese: The Church of Our Saviour (Atlanta), St. James Episcopal Church (Clayton), St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (Marietta), Church of the Epiphany (Atlanta), Christ Episcopal Church (Norcross), Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Athens), Church of the Holy Comforter (Atlanta), and St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church (Stone Mountain).

This year’s parish fundraising efforts were truly incredible! Special thanks to the following individuals who each raised more than $500 and were a part of the Hunger Walk Run Champions Circle:

• Shirley Lee, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
• Belinda McIntosh, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
• Connie Bergeron, St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (Marietta)
• Christopher Miller, Church of Our Saviour (Atlanta)
• Ben Ehlers, Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Athens)
• Heather Dickenson, St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church (Stone Mountain)
• Jan Nash, St. James’ Episcopal Church (Clayton)
• Cynthia Allen-Peterson, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
• Mary Sommers, Church of Our Saviour (Atlanta)
• Ashley Erwin, Church of the Holy Comforter (Atlanta)
• Robert Rosenzweig, Church of Our Saviour (Atlanta)
• Sharon Hiers, Church of the Epiphany (Atlanta)
• Beverly Lloyd, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
• Ginny Parrino, St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church (Smyrna)
• Veronica Ridenhour, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church (Morrow)
• Kristie Bradford-Hunt, St. Julian’s Episcopal Church (Douglasville)
• Max Chesnut-Anne, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta)

For more information about the Hunger Walk Run, including how you can create a team to support the event in 2019, please contact Lindsey Hardegree at 404.601.5362 or LHardegree@episcopalatlanta.org.