Register Now for Hunger Walk 2024 on March 10th!

Register Today for the 40th Annual Hunger Walk/Run - Hosted by the Atlanta Community Food Bank!

 Dear Friends,

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Hunger Walk/Run with us on Sunday, March 10th at the Home Depot Backyard! This special 5k event, hosted by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, brings our community together to raise awareness and crucial funds for local hunger relief. By participating, you're supporting Inspiritus and other vital organizations that help those facing hunger in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

This year, help us make an even bigger impact. Start or join a team, and let's exceed our fundraising goals together.

Event Details:

When: Sunday, March 10, 2024

Where: The Home Depot Backyard, 1 Backyard Way, Atlanta, GA 30313

• 12:00pm: Event Opens, Onsite Registration & Entertainment Begins

• 2:00pm: 5K Fun Walk & Run Begins

• 4:00pm: Event Ends

Register now to join Inspiritus and thousands of walkers and runners dedicated to ending hunger in metro Atlanta!

With gratitude,

Mary Armstrong-Reiner

Hunger Walk Coordinator

Inspiritus

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!

Become a 2022 Hunger Walk Champion!

Hello Friends,

We're just under a month away from the virtual and in-person Hunger Walk/Run on March 6, so we're sharing more ideas to help you get ready and meet your fundraising goal!

1. Register Online Today

Register for the 2022 Hunger Walk Run here. In addition to the registration fee, consider making an additional donation. This will show everyone that you're excited about supporting local hunger relief.

This year, Hunger Walk Run is both in-person AND virtual—at the Home Depot Backyard, and on every sidewalk, track and trail in your neighborhood. You can participate at any time or join us virtually on event day, Sunday, March 6.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank will continue to monitor the environment and coordinate with local officials in the weeks leading up to the event to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

In Person: Hunger Walk Run takes place at The Home Depot Backyard (view directions). The 5K route takes participants through downtown Atlanta. The schedule of events is as follows:

12:00pm - Onsite registration begins

2:00pm - 5K Fun Run commences, followed shortly thereafter by the Walk

4:00pm - Park closes and event ends

Virtual: Rally your team, family or friends and get active in your community, walking or running at any time. Take a selfie while walking in your neighborhood, rocking your treadmill, or spinning on your bike! Help us keep the energy of Hunger Walk Run going by posting your photo to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, tagging the Food Bank (@atlfoodbank on Facebook and @ACFB on Instagram & Twitter). Don't forget to use the hashtag #HWR2022 in your post!

Parking fees for this event:

Enjoy parking that's close and convenient to Hunger Walk Run 2022. Purchase your passes here. We strongly encourage you to buy parking passes by March 4. Parking can be purchased on race day, but the parking fee will be higher. Hint: The Orange Deck is right next to the Home Depot Backyard!

2. Become a Hunger Walk Champion!

You can lead the way! Raise $500 or more* to help fight hunger and feed struggling neighbors and you’ll join the elite ranks of the Hunger Walk Run Champions Club.

Members of the Champions Club receive the following benefits:

$500 level

• Recognition on the Hunger Walk Run website

• Hunger Walk Run collectible pin

• Champions Club Certificate

• Fundraising badge on your personal fundraising page

• Access to VIP Tent on Event Day

• Invitation to Special Recognition Event

$1,000 level

• VIP Parking on Event Day

• Onstage Recognition during the Event

• Premier Recognition on the Hunger Walk Run website

• Hunger Walk Run collectible pin

• Fundraising badge on your personal fundraising page

• Access to VIP Tent on Event Day

• Champions Club Certificate

• Invitation to Special Recognition Event

*Champions Club status is based upon your individual fundraising efforts, not the amount your team has raised collectively.

Click here to learn more about the Champions Club.

We have our very first VIP Champion - Congratulations Tina Blackney from St. Luke Lutheran Church, Atlanta!

Pictured Above: Aimee Zangandou, Our Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services, walking at the 2021 Virtual Hunger Walk with other team members.

3. FUNDRAISE:

Check out the "Fundraising Made Easy" section of the Hunger Walk's website for ideas on how to get started toward your goal. There are many online and offline fundraising tools, as well as coaching, advice and tips. Or get creative! Have a great idea for a fundraiser? Please share those ideas with us - we love to hear about the innovative ways our teams are raising money. Email me at lorraine.dorough@weinspirit.org

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. $100,000? $200,000? Together, we can do it!

4. T-Shirts:

All registered walkers or runners 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. T-shirts will be distributed the day of the event and are subject to availability. There are plans for a team t-shirt pick-up day at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, date TBD. T-shirts will be mailed to all virtual participants.

5. Get Going!

With your generosity, the funds raised will help stock shelves in hundreds of food pantries, shelters, child & senior centers, and community kitchens across North Georgia. As of today, we have 14 teams registered and have raised $10,000! Let's keep this success going and add more teams for our strongest turnout yet. Hunger Walk is a great chance to get outside, get active AND support a great cause.

With Gratitude,
– Lorraine Dorough
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

Thank You for Participating in Hunger Walk Run 2021!

Hello Friends,

What an amazing Hunger Walk Run we had this past Sunday! So many supporters showed up for Inspiritus, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and local food ministries/pantries. We want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and participation.

Even though we couldn't walk together this year at the Home Depot Backyard, many congregations reported a record number of members coming out for virtual walks around their neighborhoods!

PICTURED: Kimberlie Marsh, Refugee & Immigrant Services Client Services Manager and Aimee Zangandou, Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services Director

PICTURED: Walkers from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, John's Creek

Congratulations to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta for having the largest number of registered walkers and runners with 43.

Congratulations to our Newest Champions:

• Rev. Mary Armstong-Reiner, St. John Lutheran Church, Griffin

• Barbara Arne & Heather Wallace, St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta

• Stacy Fisher, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd/Daily Bread, Douglasville

• Chuck Storla, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marietta

• Becky White, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lilburn

PICTURED: (Champion) Heather Wallace, St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta

Most of all, we had some very impressive totals that we just have to share:

• $41,456 in confirmed online donations

• 480 donations

• 27 teams

• 286 registered walkers/runners

Hunger Walk was a great success because of you. And you rose to the challenge of doing something totally new with the event going virtual! We won't know the final totals for at least a month since donations will continue to come in through the end of March, but we do know that there may be some surprises in the top ten.

It was such a great chance to get outside, get active AND support a great cause. We're already looking forward to next year!

With Gratitude,
– Lorraine Dorough
Inspiritus

PICTURED L- R: VIP Champion Don Larsen, Joan Larsen, Superior Court Judge Beau McClain & his wife Heather, Susan Duke, Butch & Leila Myers, founder of Daily Bread Ministry. Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Douglasville

PICTURED: Team Matthew 25:35 (which includes members from First United Lutheran Church and Mt. Zion AME Church in Kennesaw).