HungerWalkRun 2023 Was A Success!

Hello Friends,

What an amazing Hunger Walk Run we had this year! Even though it was a cold, somewhat rainy day, so many supporters showed up for Inspiritus, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and local food ministries/pantries.

If you did not get a chance to participate, or even if you did, there's still time to donate. You can still donate until March 31:

We had some very impressive totals:

• $43,135.59 in confirmed online donations

• 21 teams

• 247 registered walkers/runners

And, we had some amazing teams joining us this year.

A huge shout out goes to:

• Cross of Life Lutheran Church, Roswell, GA

• Epiphany Lutheran Church, Suwanee, GA

• Epiphany Lutheran Church, Conyers, GA 

• Faith and Grace Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA

• First United Lutheran Church, & Mt. Zion AME, Kennesaw, GA

• Grace Lutheran Church, Carrollton, GA

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church/Daily Bread, Woodstock, GA 

• Hats for Hunger, Lilburn, GA

• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta, GA 

• Inspiritus Refugee Services team, Atlanta, GA

• Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, GA

• Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta, GA

• Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Douglasville GA 

• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Johns Creek, GA

• Rivercliff Lutheran Church, Sandy Springs, GA

• Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, Stone Mt., GA

• St. John Lutheran Church, Griffin, GA

• St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA

• St Luke's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, GA

• St. Luke Lutheran Church, McDonough, GA 

• Trinity Lutheran Church, Lilburn, GA

Hunger Walk was a great success because of you. We won't know the final totals for at least a month since donations will continue to come in through the end of March. We will be in touch once the final numbers come in!

With Gratitude,

– Mary Armstrong-Reiner
Inspiritus Hunger Walk Coordinator
Call/text at: (309)-212-0888

Let's Go All the Way to 100K! 👟

Hello Friends!

We're just 6 shorts days away from Hunger Walk/Run 2022. The forecast (right now) calls for sunny skies with a high of 78 degrees! That's perfect weather to celebrate the 38th anniversary of Hunger Walk/Run, and to take steps in the fight against local hunger. We're so proud of our team captains and participants who have registered and started fundraising right away. Together, we've raised over $30,000! This year our goal is 100K, so let's race to spread the word to our network of family and friends over the next few days.

Here are 6 ways you can participate over the next 6 days:

1. REGISTER!

2. Join a team or donate to one

3. Become a Champion!

4. Donate to Inspiritus!

5. Grab your Parking Pass today! You can buy your pass on event day but the fee will be much higher.

6. Join a Hunger Walk virtual event

*Get Social! Make sure to include a link to your personal or team fundraising page in every Facebook, Instagram and Twitter post about the Hunger Walk Run. Be sure to tag the Food Bank @ACFB (on Instagram and Twitter) and use the hashtag #HWR2022. Also, send thank you notes to supporters...it's important to thank everyone that is supporting you!

Join the Hunger Walk Champions Club

We've had a big jump in Champions! Remember that anyone who raises $500 or more earns a spot in Hunger Walk's Champions Club and is eligible for special benefits and privileges.

Click here to learn more about the Champions Club.

Congratulations to our VIP Champions:

• Tina Blackney, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Atlanta

• Jennifer Carson, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Johns Creek

• Don Larsen, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Douglasville

• Mike Frey, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

• Amanda Masters, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta

• Joe Masters, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta

• Rachel Thornton, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

Congratulations to our Champions:

• Lorraine Dorough, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta

• Malcolm McKendrick, Rivercliff Lutheran Church, Sandy Springs

• Karen Palmiotti, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Johns Creek

• Berti Schmidt, Grace Lutheran Church, Carrollton

• Wayne Smith, Rivercliff Lutheran Church, Sandy Springs

• Chuck Storla, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

• Gail Tverberg, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock

• Heather Wallace, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Atlanta

Team Captains 2021

Don’t Forget to Pick Up Your T-Shirts:

All walkers and runners who register online are eligible to receive one official Hunger Walk Run event t-shirt per person. This year the walker shirt is orange and the runner shirt is plum-check them out here. T-shirts will be distributed the day of the event and are subject to availability. If you or your team would like to grab your t-shirts before Hunger Walk, we're offering two pick up days prior to the event. Pick up your shirts March 2nd or 3rd from 11:30am - 2:30pm at the Food Drive dock on the front right side of the building: Atlanta Community Food Bank, 3400 N. Desert Drive, Atlanta, GA 30344. T-shirts will also be mailed to all virtual participants.

See you on the 6th at the Home Depot Backyard!

We are planning on being in person at The Home Depot Backyard on Sunday, March 6. We will continue to monitor the environment and coordinate with local officials in the weeks leading up to the event. The Food Bank has safety protocols in place to ensure participants have a safe and fun experience. See their COVID-19 Participation Guide and COVID-19 Safety Flyer for more information.

Event Details:
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Noon: Event Opens, Onsite Registration & Entertainment Begins
2:00pm: 5K Fun Walk & Run Begins
4:00pm: Event Ends

Or find a trail near you!

Join your team, family or friends and get active in your community, walking or running at any time or join us virtually on March 6. Find a great outdoor trail near you to get your steps in and help feed a hungry neighbor. Help us keep the energy of Hunger WalkRun going by posting your photos to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, tagging the Food Bank (@ACFB on Instagram and Twitter) and using the hashtag #HWR2022

Team Inspiritus : Hunger WalkRun 2021

We have over 154 registered walkers and runners, 20 teams and $30,650 in confirmed gifts. Let's keep this momentum going to reach 100K. We want our strongest turnout yet!

Please contact me at Lorraine Dorough if you have any last minute questions. Hunger Walk is a great chance to get outside, get active AND support a great cause!

With Gratitude,
– Lorraine Dorough
Inspiritus

Did you know that ACFB’s goal is $800,000 this year? Inspiritus raised over $92,000 last year so let's try to surpass that goal this year. Together, we can do it!

12 Days Away from Hunger WalkRun 2022!

Hello Friends!

We're only 12 days away from the Hunger Walk/Run on Sunday, March 6.

Here are 12 ways you can participate:

1. REGISTER!

2. Set up your own team

3. Dine & Donate!

4. Donate to Inspiritus!

5. Fundraise for a team

6. Become a Champion!

7. Join the Inspiritus Team

8. Donate to the Inspiritus team!

9. Grab your Parking Pass today! You can buy your pass on event day but the fee will be much higher.

10. Promote #HWR2022 on your social channels*

11. Send this email to friends & family, encouraging them to donate or walk/run

12. Join a Hunger Walk virtual event

*Get Social! Make sure to include a link to your personal or team fundraising page in every Facebook, Instagram and Twitter post about the Hunger Walk Run. Be sure to tag the Food Bank @ACFB (on Instagram and Twitter) and use the hashtag #HWR2022. Also, send thank you notes to supporters...it's important to thank everyone that is supporting you!

Join the Hunger Walk Champions Club

We've had a big jump in Champions! Remember that anyone who raises $500 or more earns a spot in Hunger Walk's Champions Club and is eligible for special benefits and privileges.

Click here to learn more about the Champions Club.

Congratulations to our VIP Champions:

• Tina Blackney, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Atlanta

• Don Larsen, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Douglasville

• Mike Frey, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

• Amanda Masters, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta

• Joe Masters, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta

• Rachel Thornton, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

Congratulations to our Champions:

• Jennifer Carson, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Johns Creek

• Lorraine Dorough, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta

• Karen Palmiotti, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Johns Creek

• Heather Wallace, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Atlanta

• Chuck Storla, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

Teams walking during Hunger WalkRun 2021

Don’t Forget to Pick Up Your T-Shirts:

All walkers and runners who register online are eligible to receive one official Hunger Walk Run event t-shirt per person. This year the walker shirt is orange and the runner shirt is plum-check them out here. T-shirts will be distributed the day of the event and are subject to availability. If you or your team would like to grab your t-shirts before Hunger Walk, we're offering two pick up days prior to the event. Pick up your shirts March 2nd or 3rd from 11:30am - 2:30pm at the Food Drive dock on the front right side of the building: Atlanta Community Food Bank, 3400 N. Desert Drive, Atlanta, GA 30344. T-shirts will also be mailed to all virtual participants.

See you on the 6th at the Home Depot Backyard!

We are planning on being in person at The Home Depot Backyard on Sunday, March 6. We will continue to monitor the environment and coordinate with local officials in the weeks leading up to the event.

Event Details:
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Noon: Event Opens, Onsite Registration & Entertainment Begins
2:00pm: 5K Fun Walk & Run Begins
4:00pm: Event Ends

Or find a trail near you!

Join your team, family or friends and get active in your community, walking or running at any time or join us virtually on March 6. Find a great outdoor trail near you to get your steps in and help feed a hungry neighbor. Help us keep the energy of Hunger WalkRun going by posting your photos to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, tagging the Food Bank (@ACFB on Instagram and Twitter) and using the hashtag #HWR2022

Team Inspiritus : Hunger WalkRun 2021

We have over 111 registered walkers and runners, 20 teams and $23,300 in confirmed gifts! Donations are still coming in as we write this.

Let's keep this momentum going and add more teams for our strongest turnout yet. Please contact me at Lorraine Dorough if you have any last-minute questions. Hunger Walk is a great chance to get outside, get active AND support a great cause!

With Gratitude,
– Lorraine Dorough
Inspiritus

Did you know that ACFB’s goal is $800,000 this year? Inspiritus raised over $92,000 last year so let's try to surpass that goal this year. Together, we can do it!

Action Alert: Help Protect Our Afghan Allies

Dear Friend,

Since 2002, the U.S. Government has employed Afghan allies to serve alongside U.S. troops, diplomats, and other government employees. Regrettably, these allies and their families soon became the targets of anti-American violence. They continue to be threatened, abducted, and targeted for their allegiance to the U.S. and NATO mission.

This issue is deeply personal to our Refugee and Immigrant Services team; multiple team members themselves fled Afghanistan for their lives as Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs) after aiding the US military.

Ahmad Habibzai is currently the Employment Coordinator for Refugees in Inspiritus' Atlanta office. Below is his story and call to action:

---

“My name is Ahmad Habibzai; I have worked with USA programs in Afghanistan from 2007-2012. We had a great life back in Afghanistan but after some time my family received threats from Taliban, and then I decided to apply to Special Immigrant Visa program. I came to USA in 2014 to save our lives. My family had a hard time here, but we worked hard to ensure our future is bright. My daughters and sons are going to school with a huge vision to help the world; right now everyone is happy and life is back to normal."

"The SIV program is crucial for Afghan Interpreters and Afghans’ who worked with USA programs in Afghanistan during the last two decades. Their lives and their families’ lives are in danger due to their support to USA. They risked their lives for the hope that they will have a great country and a bright future for their families and future generations which did not happen. They did their part with honesty, dedication, and loyalty, and now they need your help. Please help them."

---

Inspiritus has resettled hundreds of SIVs, and their stories are truly remarkable and heroic. The Afghan SIV program was created to provide a pathway to protection to those who face danger because of their service to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. It is our moral imperative to keep our promise to those we pledged to protect.

We're joining our Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) family, as well as several veterans’ groups, and members of Congress, in calling upon our government to urgently evacuate American-affiliated Afghans and their families...now! You can add your voice, by sending a message here.

As always, thank you for the compassion, support, and care you provide to the refugees we serve. We couldn’t do this work without you!

With Gratitude,

Aimee Zangandou
Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services
Inspiritus

The HungerWalkRun 2021 Results Are In!

Thank you for supporting another successful Hunger Walk Run with Inspiritus. With your support, we raised $92,484.19. This is the most we’ve ever raised!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who participated in the 2021 Hunger Walk Run! This year we had 27 teams from 22 congregations. No matter how big or small your team was, or how much money you raised, YOU made an impact!

Team captains had a great time celebrating together on June 6 – click here for the video!

We'd like to recognize Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marietta, and team captain Mike Frey, for the most walkers and runners registered online: 43. Also, Don Larsen from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd was the top fundraiser online: $2,588.

Hunger Walk Run would not be possible without the amazing efforts of our Lutheran congregations who recruit the walkers and runners, raise the lion’s share of the funds, and utilize their percentage of the funds raised to support food ministries in their congregations and in their communities. And this year, with a totally virtual event for the first time, they came through with record setting results!

The TOP TEN CONGREGATIONS:

1. Trinity Lutheran Church, Lilburn $17,564.00

2. Grace Lutheran Church, Carrollton $14,597.55

3. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta $12,938.64

4. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Johns Creek $11,291.00

5. Cross of Life Lutheran Church, Roswell $6,755.00

6. Rivercliff Lutheran Church, Atlanta $5,540.00

7. St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta $4,310.00

8. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Marietta $3,850.00

9. Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Douglasville $3,773.00

10. St. Luke Lutheran Church, Atlanta $2,625.00

Trinity Lutheran has set an all-time record for amount raised by one congregation!

The Hunger Walk Run is an event of the Atlanta Community Food Bank that unites our community to raise awareness and critical funds for local hunger relief. Proceeds from the event benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and partner organizations like Inspiritus that help recruit participants and receive a percentage of the funds raised to support their hunger relief programs. Hunger Walk funding for Inspiritus is a vital part of our Refugee and Immigrant services programming. The funds will provide culturally appropriate food for newly arrived refugees on their first night in the United States, and longer as needed while they are striving to secure employment and attain self-sufficiency. Emergency food assistance is also available for refugees and immigrants facing food insecurity. We offer meals to families that participate in extended cultural orientation classes to learn how to navigate in their new communities, and snacks for refugee children who attend our summer camp program.

Thanks again to all who participated, and truly went the extra mile to make Hunger Walk Run 2021 a success. We are grateful for your partnership and support, and we look forward to walking together in the fight against hunger in 2022!

With Gratitude,
– Lorraine Dorough
Inspiritus

World Refugee Day is June 20

Dear Friend,

Please join us and our Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies partners as we celebrate World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co., in Clarkston on Jun 20th!

Enjoy delicious food from local vendors, family-friendly activities, and delicious iced tea and coffee drinks as you meet your neighbors. Listen to special guest speakers, gather information at our advocacy booth, and experience incredible music and dance performances by various community groups. Shop locally from refugee and immigrant business owners at our vendor’s market.

Guests are asked to please register in advance. Invite interested friends and family members and share the news on your social channels using the hashtags #GALovesRefugees #RefugeesWelcome

If you have any questions, please contact me at sarah.burke@weinspirit.org

Don't miss this chance to show your support for refugees-RSVP below!

With Gratitude,

– Sarah Burke
Community Engagement Coordinator
Inspiritus

10 Days Away from 2021 Virtual Hunger WalkRun!

Hello Friends,

We're ten days away from the Hunger Walk/Run on March 7.

Here are 10 ways you can participate:

1. Set up your own team

2. Join a team-click here to find one!

3. Donate to a Team

4. Fundraise for a team

5. Become a Champion, get a yard sign, and display it

6. Join the Inspiritus Team

7. Donate to the Inspiritus team!

8. Promote on your social media*

9. Send emails to friends & family, encouraging them to donate or walk/run

10. Join a Hunger Walk virtual event. View on Youtube or Facebook

*Get Social! Make sure to include a link to your personal or team fundraising page in every Facebook, Instagram and Twitter post about the Hunger Walk Run. Be sure to tag the Food Bank @ACFB (on Instagram and Twitter) and use the hashtag #HWR2021. Also, send thank you notes to supporters...it's important to thank everyone that is supporting you!

Join the Hunger Walk's Champions Club

Remember that anyone who raises $500 or more earns a spot in Hunger Walk's Champions Club and is eligible for special benefits and privileges.

Click here to learn more about the Champions Club.

Congratulations to our new VIP Champions: Mike Frey and Rachel Thornton from Lutheran Church of Resurrection in Marietta and Maggie DeLano from Prince of Peace in John's Creek.

And our new Champions: Hermon Rao from Cross of Life Lutheran Church in Roswell, and Theresa Rogers from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Congratulations also to our top five teams to date:

1. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, John's Creek

2. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

3. Cross of Life Lutheran Church, Roswell

4. Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd/Daily Bread, Douglasville

5. St. Luke Lutheran Church, Atlanta

*To see a full list of teams and join an existing team, click here

Don't forget to pick up your t-shirts:

All online registrants are eligible to receive a walker or runner t-shirt. You will have the opportunity to either have the t-shirt shipped for a nominal fee or elect to pick it up the following t-shirt distribution days:

• March 6 - The Atlanta Community Food Bank 12-4pm (2021 shirts)

Find a trail near you and get walking or running!

Find a great outdoor trail near you to get your steps in and help feed a hungry neighbor. View the list of trails here.

• Join your team, family or friends and get active in your community, walking or running at any time or join us virtually on March 7.

• If your congregation isn't going to have a team this year, you can still walk! Join or donate directly to our Inspiritus team! The need is great, and your support will make all the difference.

Did Someone Say Sandwich?

On March 7, wear your 2021 Hunger Walk Run T-shirt to any local Arby's, purchase a small order of french fries and receive a free Classic Roast Beef Sandwich! Share the news with your friends and family and encourage them to register.

We have over 182 registered walkers and runners, 23 teams and $20,909 in confirmed gifts! Donations are still coming in as we write this.

Also, there will be no donation envelopes this year. Instead you can access the donation form here and include it with checks made out to Hunger Walk (not Inspiritus!) and put it in a regular mailing envelope.

Let's keep the momentum going and add more teams for our strongest turnout yet. Also, we have posters and cards you can share. If you'd like some, contact Sarah Burke or Lorraine Dorough today. Hunger Walk is a great chance to get outside, get active AND support a great cause!

With Gratitude,

– Lorraine Dorough

Inspiritus

Last year, 24 teams from congregations across metro Atlanta, plus our staff team at Inspiritus, raised $73,440.57 in support of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Inspiritus, and food ministries in their communities!

URGENT: Advocacy Alert for Refugee Services

LSG provides a wide variety of direct services to both newly arrived and established refugee clients, supported by federal funding administered through Georgia's Department of Human Services (DHS). With this funding LSG specifically provides employment training and job placement as well as assistance in addressing medical concerns and home management support designed to help refugees achieve self-sufficiency as soon as possible.

The contract year for these services began on October 1. To our dismay, we have been informed by officials of Georgia's DHS that they are under no obligation to pay for any services related to these federally funded programs until the contracts are signed. This left us with no option but to suspend these services to our clients since we have no idea if or when the contracts will be signed.

Today, LSG laid off eight Refugee Services staff members and stopped employment training, job placement and social adjustment services to our refugee clients. The suspension, or possible loss, of this federal funding, already distributed and being held by the state, will be strongly felt not only by the refugee population but also by every Georgia resident.

The entire refugee services community hopes for prompt resolution of the barriers that stand between us and delivery of these critical services.  You can help relieve this situation by contacting DHS Commissioner Clyde Reese at 404-463-3390 or creese@dhr.state.ga.us and Governor Nathan Deal at 404-656-1776 or click here. Ask them to sign the refugee services contracts and release the funding held by the state to provide these vital services to the refugee population. For suggestions on how to communicate your concerns, please click here.  And please forward this information to your network so that we can demonstrate that this issue has broad support from our community: friends, family, coworkers, congregation members, etc. Thank you for your support during this critical time.

Once you have contacted Governor Deal or Commissioner Reese, please let us know what response you receive, or if you have additional questions, by contacting J.D. McCrary, director of Refugee Services, at jmccrary@lsga.org or 678-686-9643.

Adoption: Lutheran Teachings Guide Us to Serve

We in the LSG adoption program recognize the journey of adoption for both the family and the children who are adopted. We also recognize it is a privilege to find a permanent home for a waiting child. Adoption is one of the many missions of this agency serving and engaging the community by bringing hope, healing and strength to people in need. This past year, we successfully transitioned all the families and the children from two other agencies to our adoption program who unfortunately had to close their doors due to budget cuts and the economy. In some cases, we accomplished this awesome task with no financial support with this transition. We are proud to say over this past year, we found “forever families” for 35 children in foster care which included seven sibling groups of 2, one sibling group of 3 and one sibling group of 4 children. We found a “forever family” for 8 infants in our cooperative open infant domestic adoption program and has facilitated ongoing connections between the adoptive families and the birth families. In spite of these accomplishments, we know that the work continues on because the need is so great for the hope, healing and strength that we at LSG provide.