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

International Human Rights Day - 75th Anniversary!

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, December 10th, commemorated the 75th anniversary of International Human Rights Day, a day designed to recognize the United Nation General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the values enshrined in this landmark agreement. The UDHR’s signing marks the first time in history that such a large coalition of international countries adopted a shared set of principles that transcend the laws of their own respective governments.

These principles are rooted in a core belief that all of us as human beings should have equal access to the same set of certain, inalienable rights regardless of our race, religion, gender, ethnicity, political beliefs, or other characteristics. This includes most fundamentally the right to live and exist freely without fear of persecution.

Why the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is Personal to Me:

The UDHR is personal to me. It was in early April of 1994 that my family and I learned what it meant to be denied this basic human right, changing our lives forever. A campaign of mass genocide had been launched in our home country of Rwanda. As the risk of being killed increased with each passing day, my family and I were given no choice but to leave and find safety outside the borders of our own country. In the three months that followed, one million Rwandans would lose their lives.

My family survived because of multiple acts of kindness bestowed to us from friends and at times, even complete strangers. As the executive director for Refugee & Immigrant Services at Inspiritus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving vulnerable populations across the Southeast, I am fortunate to witness similar gestures of goodwill every day from individuals who have no personal connection to the new refugees they volunteer to support, but nonetheless feel compelled to get involved in our work because of their compassion and convictions.

It is precisely thanks to the hospitality of everyday people that Georgia’s refugee resettlement program is consistently ranked among the most successful in the nation.

However, given that less than 1% of the current 108.4 million people who are forcibly displaced will be offered the chance to resettle in a new country, we must be open to offering sustainable pathways for individuals escaping violence and persecution and who look to the United States as a champion of Democracy and human rights.

The right to seek asylum is one of the 30 tenants outlined in the UDHR and is one of several options for individuals in need of humanitarian protection to legally enter the U.S. Humanitarian parole is another pathway and has helped thousands of individuals fleeing war, persistent gang violence, or political tyranny, as was the case for the 1,697 Afghan evacuees Georgia welcomed last year after their country fell to Taliban forces.

In recognizing yesterday’s 75th anniversary, it is imperative that we pause to reflect on the progress made in our efforts to uphold human rights since the aftermath of WWII and the of the atrocities of the Holocaust. I wish history had unfolded a differently and the UN’s original vision of preventing future acts of targeted violence and forced displacement; sadly though, such atrocities have happened repeatedly in places like Cambodia, Kosovo, Darfur, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and now, Palestine.

This is not to say the intent of the UDHR has failed; on the contrary, its ability to act as a “north star” for heads of state committed to upholding the values of human rights has helped set a global precedent for their government and its citizens to similarly uphold these values.

As an example, look no further than Georgia’s native son, former President Jimmy Carter, who, in spearheading the passage of the US Refugee Act of 1980, solidified our nation’s role as a leader in refugee resettlement with the creation of a formal government program that has helped provide over three million refugees find safety, stability, and success, in the United States.

While few of us yield the power to prevent human rights violations from taking place, we all have the power as an electorate to ensure our lawmakers are upholding tenants of US and international law that offer life-saving protections for individuals facing war or persecution. As this piece is being written, Congress is simultaneously engaged in negotiations that could result in restricting access to both humanitarian parole and asylum.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Help us uplift the 75th anniversary of the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights by calling your Members of Congress and reminding them that asylum is a human right. You can find your House Member and Senators here and may refer to the sample script below.

• “Hello, my name is [Insert Name] and I am a constituent from [City, State]. I am calling to ask that the [Representative/Senator] stand with asylum seekers and remember that the right to asylum is a human right that every person should be able to claim when their lives are endangered in their home countries. I am aware that Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are considering tightening asylum access as a concession for passing the President’s requested supplemental foreign aid package to Ukraine and other countries by the end of the year. Asylum is the difference between life and death for individuals in need of immediate safety and it should not be used as a bargaining chip. The protection of fundamental human rights has always been a corner stone of our country’s ideals and foreign policy priorities. As such, I am urging the [Representative/Senator] act to protect these ideals and vote “no” on any measures that would further restrict asylum access for individuals escaping extreme violence and persecution. Thank you."

To learn more about how YOU can get involved and help empower the refugees we accompany on their path from surviving to thriving, visit our website at www.weinspirit.org.

Sincerely,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Refugees & Immigrants Services
Inspiritus

Give Early for Giving Tuesday!

Dear Friends,

Giving Tuesday is just around the corner! Join the world’s largest generosity movement by partnering with Inspiritus this Giving Tuesday (November 28th)! With your support, we can empower more families & individuals on their path from surviving to thriving.

HOW YOUR DONATION CAN MAKE AN IMPACT:

• $25 will end hunger for a family of four for a week.

• $100 will provide children living through a crisis to have critical school supplies and clothing.

• $250 will empower Household Providers to find a new job to support their family.

• $1,000 will provide local disaster survivors & refugees with safe housing.

The best part? You don't have to wait to make an impact! You can donate early and support Inspiritus this Giving Tuesday by clicking the button below. Make sure to share it across your social media network using the hashtag #GivingTuesday:

Thank you for your continued support and empowering those accompany on their path surviving to thriving. We are so grateful to all of our donors and supporter who help make what we do possible!

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, November 28

Dear Friends,

It's that time of year again! Georgia is coming together for a full day of hope on Giving Tuesday, November 28 (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving).

This year, we're setting a $5,000 goal for this Giving Tuesday. In fact, right now GA Gives is allowing early contributions which will go towards Inspiritus' overall Giving Tuesday goal. Click the button below to donate early, and share it across your social media network using hashtags #GivingTuesday #GAgives:

We are so grateful to all of our donors and supporters who help make what we do possible.

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Give Hope This Holiday Season!

Dear Friends,  

Hope Tree giving season is here! At Inspiritus, our Hope Tree program gives the gift of hope to refugee and immigrant children and families seeking a new life. We partner with individuals, local congregations, and community organizations to give the gift of hope to those in need.

With your generosity, our hope is to ensure every individual we accompany receives something special this holiday season, whether that be a warm winter coat or a gift card. But we can’t do it alone. We invite you to join us in our mission to empower every person we accompany on their journey from surviving to thriving this giving season.

• All of our locations are collecting coats! Our goal is to collect over 900 new coats for refugees who have arrived this year in Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, and Savannah. All coats collected will be distributed to newly arrived refugees and immigrant families.

• We are also accepting gift cards! If you are unable to donate a winter coat, you also have the option to send a gift card. The gift cards collected will be used to purchase additional coats that we don't receive donations for. Any remaining gift cards will be distributed to families who already have a coat, or live in Savannah where coats aren't as needed, due to warmer temperatures.

• Please mail donations to Hope Tree INSPIRITUS by December 8th. You can mail your donation to whichever office you would like to support.

• If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Holiday Fund, we will use the money collected to purchase needed winter coats. You can donate to this fund by clicking the button below. Please be sure to select 'Hope Tree' when making your contribution.

WHERE TO MAIL YOUR DONATION:

Nashville Office: 297 Haywood Lane, Nashville, TN 37211

Atlanta Office: 731 Peachtree Street NE, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30308

Birmingham Office: 117 Southcrest Drive Ste. 104 Birmingham, AL 35209

Savannah Office: 6555 Abercorn St., Suite 205 Savannah, Georgia 31405 

WHERE TO PURCHASE A GIFT CARD:

Each of our offices (Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, and Savannah) has an Amazon Wishlist where you can purchase and donate a Visa gift card. You can click on the links below to donate a gift card to the site of your choosing.

• Atlanta - Purchase an Amazon gift card HERE

• Birmingham - Purchase an Amazon gift card HERE

• Nashville - Purchase an Amazon gift card HERE

• Savannah - Purchase an Amazon gift card HERE

If you have questions, please reach out to our Community Engagement Manager, Sarah Burke, at Sarah.Burke@weinspirit.org or 404-797-7505.

Thank you for the meaningful ways you and your congregations live out your lives as people of faith. Inspiritus is blessed to partner with you as we accompany the most vulnerable among us on their journeys from surviving to thriving.

Sincerely,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Refugees & Immigrants Services
Inspiritus

Inspiritus: Community Recognition and Awards

John Moeller Named One of Georgia's 500 Most Influential Leaders

AWARD-WINNING IMPACT

Reflecting on the past few years, Inspiritus has emerged through seasons that were filled with both challenges and victories. We want to take this moment to celebrate with you two outstanding acknowledgments that reflect the commitment and perseverance of the people that make this organization great. The success of our work is built on the efforts of our staff, board, volunteers and collaborative partners. Thank you for helping us provide award-winning services to neighbors that need it the most.

John Moeller, President & CEO of Inspiritus, was named one of Georgia’s 500 most influential leaders for 2022 by Georgia Trend magazine. The list of leaders was published in a special annual magazine called Georgia 500. It identifies the state’s most influential leaders across 21 industry sectors focusing on economic development and local investment.  Selections are based on extensive research, nominations, and hundreds of interviews, resulting in a selective guide to Georgians who impact the Peach State. Moeller was named in the non-profit sector.

“I am humbled to be recognized in Georgia Trend’s Most Influential Leaders 2022,” said Moeller, “It is a testament not to me, but to our incredibly dedicated teams. This honor is a reflection of their leadership and commitment to seeing individuals to thriving. I am grateful to our board, staff, volunteers and partners who continue to stand with us. There's no higher calling than to community service."

John Moeller's unrelenting commitment to empowering those we accompany on their path from surviving to thriving is truly an inspiration to the Inspiritus organization, our collaborative partners and the communities in which we serve. Congratulations John!

The feature above reads: Inspiritus, formerly Lutheran Services of Georgia, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families across Georgia whose lives have been disrupted by abuse, neglect, torture, economic distress and natural disaster. It provides a mix of services in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, among them: refugee and immigrant services, including Afghan Ally resettlement, social adjustment, cultural orientation and legal services; assistance in the wake of natural disaster; and children’s and family services. Including foster homes.

Moeller is an elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and has pastored several churches in North Georgia. He served 10 years as CEO of Must Ministries in Marietta and another six years heading Action Ministries in Atlanta. He also is an established speaker on topics such as leadership, nonprofit governance, volunteerism and strategic planning.

---

Center for Nonprofit Management Honors Inspiritus' Middle Tennessee Empowerment Programs

Last month, the Center for Nonprofit Management in Nashville held its 29th annual Salute to Excellence Awards, the country's largest nonprofit awards ceremony, bringing together leaders in local business, community, and nonprofit sectors for a night of recognition and celebration at Belmont University’s The Fisher Center for Performing Arts.

Inspiritus is honored to have been awarded The Memorial Foundation 2022 Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Management. With over 145 applications submitted, 30 nonprofit organizations and leaders were recognized as winners and finalists across 13 award categories of excellence. The finalist organizations were comprised of nonprofits large and small in diverse service areas supporting communities across Middle Tennessee. The Inspiritus team is humbled to take part in such an amazing event!

Facebook Video: Inspiritus Middle Tennessee Empowerment Programs' highlight video shown at the 2022 Salute to Excellence Awards Ceremony by the Center for Nonprofit Management (Nashville)

Please join us in celebrating all who make this work possible, yourself included. We are grateful for the compassion and commitment of all who help Inspiritus continue to successfully empower our neighbors on their journeys from Surviving to Thriving.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, November 29 External

Dear Friends,

It's that time of year again! Georgia is coming together for a full day of hope on Giving Tuesday, November 29 (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving).

This year, we're setting a $5,000 goal for this Giving Tuesday. In fact, right now GA Gives is allowing early contributions which will go towards Inspiritus' overall Giving Tuesday goal. Click the link below to donate early, and share it across your social media network using hashtags #GivingTuesday #GAgives:

We're so grateful to all our donors and supporters who help make what we do possible.

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Give Hope This Holiday Season

Dear Friends,  

At Inspiritus, our Hope Tree program gives the gift of hope to children in foster care, refugee and immigrant families seeking a new life, and low-income families in our service areas who may not otherwise receive a gift. We partner with local congregations and community organizations to give the gift of hope to those in need. 

With your generosity, our hope is to ensure every individual we accompany receives something special this holiday season, whether that be a warm winter coat or a gift card. But, we can’t do it alone.  

We invite you to join us in our mission to empower to every person we accompany on their journey from surviving to thriving this giving season. Outlined below are ways you can give: 

Inspiritus Middle Tennessee Empowerment Services: Nashville, TN 

• Inspiritus Middle Tennessee is collecting coats & Visa, Walmart, or Amazon gift cards! Our goal is to collect 50-100 coats & 20 gift cards for children, families, and individuals enrolled in our programming.

• All coats will be distributed throughout the winter to individuals seeking food assistance from the Inspiritus Pantry.

• Physical donations can be dropped off at: 1628 Rosa Parks Blvd. Nashville, TN 37208 M-F
  8am-noon. You can also mail your donations to the same address by December 12th.

• If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Christmas fund, we will use the funds to purchase needed winter coats. You can send donations to: www.weinspirit.org/donate and select "Hope Tree". Please include “Middle Tennessee Empowerment Donation” in the comment section.

Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services: Nashville, TN 

• Inspiritus’ Refugee & Immigrant Services is growing! In 2022, we expanded our RIS programming to Nashville, making this our first year resettling refugees in Tennessee!
  Our goal is to collect 65 coats & 40 Visa, Walmart, or Amazon gift cards for families and individuals enrolled in this programming!

• All coats will be distributed throughout the winter to newly arrived refugees. Gift cards will be distributed to teens in the Kiswahili community led by a local pastor.

• Gift Cards: Not all of our families are necessarily in need of a coat, but they’re definitely in need of support to make Christmas special given the financial hardships they face every day. The kids we serve in our Unaccompanied Minors program really benefit from getting a gift card that helps them choose something special for themselves especially since family dynamics might be different because of limited family reunification options.

• You can sign up to donate a coat or gift card here.

• Please mail gift cards and coats to: Hope Tree INSPIRITUS 297 Haywood Lane Nashville, TN 37211 by December 12th.

• If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Christmas fund, we will use the funds to purchase needed winter coats. You can send donations to: www.weinspirit.org/donate and select "Hope Tree". Please include “RIS Middle Tennessee Donation” in the comment section.

Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services: Atlanta, GA 

• Inspiritus Atlanta is collecting coats & Visa, Walmart, or Amazon gift cards! Our goal is to collect 55 gift cards & 395 coats for families and individuals enrolled in our programming!

• All coats and gift cards collected will be distributed to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in Atlanta, GA.

• Gift Cards: Not all of our families are necessarily in need of a coat, but they’re definitely in need of support to make Christmas special given the financial hardships they face every day. The kids we serve in our Unaccompanied Minors program really benefit from getting a gift card that helps them choose something special for themselves especially since family dynamics might be different because of limited family reunification options.

• You can sign up to donate a coat or gift card here.

• Please mail donations to Hope Tree INSPIRITUS 731 Peachtree Street NE, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30308 by December 12th.

• If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Christmas fund, we will use the funds to purchase needed winter coats. You can send donations to: www.weinspirit.org/donate and select "Hope Tree". Please include “RIS Atlanta Donation” in the comment section.

Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services: Birmingham, AL 

• Inspiritus’ Refugee & Immigrant Services has also expanded to Birmingham, making this this our first year celebrating Hope Tree in Alabama! Our goal is to collect 40 Visa, Walmart, or Amazon gift cards & 100 coats for families and individuals enrolled in this programming!

• All coats and gift cards collected will be distributed to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in Birmingham, AL.

• Gift Cards: Not all of our families are necessarily in need of a coat, but they’re definitely in need of support to make Christmas special given the financial hardships they face every day. The kids we serve in our Unaccompanied Minors program really benefit from getting a gift card that helps them choose something special for themselves especially since family dynamics might be different because of limited family reunification options.

• You can sign up to donate a coat or gift card here.

• Please mail donations to Hope Tree INSPIRITUS 117 Southcrest Drive Ste. 104 Birmingham, AL 35209 by December 12th.

• If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Christmas fund, we will use the funds to purchase needed winter coats. You can send donations to: www.weinspirit.org/donate and select "Hope Tree". Please include “RIS Birmingham Donation” in the comment section.

Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services: Savannah, GA

• Inspiritus Savannah is collecting coats! Our goal is to collect 84 coats for our newest neighbors. All coats collected will be distributed to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in Savannah, GA.

• You can sign up to donate a coat or gift card here.

• Please mail donations to Hope Tree INSPIRITUS 106 Oglethorpe Professional Court, STE C Savannah, GA 31406 by December 12th.

• If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Christmas fund, we will use the funds to purchase needed winter coats. You can send donations to: www.weinspirit.org/donate and select "Hope Tree". Please include “RIS Savannah Donation” in the comment section.

Inspiritus Children & Family Services: Metro Atlanta & Northwest GA 

• Inspiritus’ Children & Family Services is collecting Walmart gift cards! Our goal is to collect 50 gift cards for children and families enrolled in our programming.

• All gift cards will be used to purchase Wishlist gift items for youth and be distributed to foster parents as a holiday token of appreciation!

• Gift card donations can be sent to: Inspiritus P.O. Box 1091 Hampton, GA 30228 by December 12th.

• If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Christmas fund, we will use the funds to purchase needed gift cards. You can send donations to: www.weinspirit.org/donate and select "Hope Tree". Please include “Foster Care Donation” in the comment section.

If you have questions, please reach out to Sherise Boston, Operations Manager, at Sherise.Boston@weinspirit.org or 404-875-0201 (ext. 1010).  

Thank you for the meaningful ways you and your congregations live out your lives as people of faith. Inspiritus is blessed to partner with you as we accompany the most vulnerable among us on their journeys from surviving to thriving. 

Also, be sure to join us for #GivingTuesday - the Global Day of Giving on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022. 

We're proud to be a part of this global celebration of giving through GAGives. In this time of uncertainty, there's a fundamental truth that gives us hope - that together we can do extraordinary things. 

Save the date and be sure to bookmark this link: 

https://www.gagives.org/organization/Inspiritus 

With Gratitude, 

Virginia Spencer 
Chief Development Officer 
Inspiritus

UPDATE Mailing Address (Time Sensitive Request)

Dear Valued Partner,

Inspiritus Mailing Address Change:

If the following mailing address is on file, please update it as it is no longer active: P.O. BOX 7829 ATLANTA, GA 30357

Kindly update the mailing address on record for Inspiritus to the following:

731 PEACHTREE STREET NE, SUITE B ATLANTA, GA 30308

Why the Change?

On very short notice, the Post Office location housing our P.O. Box 7829 in Atlanta recently moved. Moving forward, Inspiritus has determined that it is in our best interests to receive mail directly at our Atlanta Office location at 731 Peachtree Street NE, Suite B Atlanta, GA 30308.

What if I Sent Mail to the P.O. Box?

There are delays: items mailed to the P.O. Box 7829 during the period of February-April 2022 may experience a 2-6 week delay before we receive it.

Mail that has already been sent to the P.O. Box is still being sorted by the Postal Service with delays resulting from their post office location move. Once the mail is sorted by the Postal Service, it is being forwarded to Inspiritus.

Moving forward, mail intended for Inspiritus should not be sent to our former P.O. Box 7829.

Who Can I Contact at Inspiritus?

If you mailed donation or grant correspondence you would like to discuss, please contact Kim Wilson: kimberly.wilson@weinspirit.org

If you mailed billing or other correspondence you would like to discuss, please contact Sherise Boston: sherise.boston@weinspirit.org

We regret any inconvenience this update may cause and look forward to assisting you.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Dear Valued Partner,

Inspiritus Mailing Address Change:

If the following mailing address is on file, please update it as it is no longer active: P.O. BOX 7829 ATLANTA, GA 30357 Kindly update the mailing address on record for Inspiritus to the following: 731 PEACHTREE STREET NE, SUITE B ATLANTA, GA 30308

Why the Change?

On very short notice, the Post Office location housing our P.O. Box 7829 in Atlanta recently moved. Moving forward, Inspiritus has determined that it is in our best interests to receive mail directly at our Atlanta Office location at 731 Peachtree Street NE, Suite B Atlanta, GA 30308.

What if I Sent Mail to the P.O. Box?

There are delays: items mailed to the P.O. Box 7829 during the period of February-April 2022 may experience a 2-6 week delay before we receive it.

Mail that has already been sent to the P.O. Box is still being sorted by the Postal Service with delays resulting from their post office location move. Once the mail is sorted by the Postal Service, it is being forwarded to Inspiritus.

Moving forward, mail intended for Inspiritus should not be sent to our former P.O. Box 7829.

Who Can I Contact at Inspiritus?

If you mailed donation or grant correspondence you would like to discuss, please contact Kim Wilson: kimberly.wilson@weinspirit.org

If you mailed billing or other correspondence you would like to discuss, please contact Sherise Boston: sherise.boston@weinspirit.org

We regret any inconvenience this update may cause and look forward to assisting you.

Sincerely,
Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

WILL THE UNITED STATES WELCOME REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE?

At this time, the United States is not expecting to receive Ukrainian refugees. It is currently anticipated that Ukrainian refugees will be accepted by European nations. We will continue to watch and be ready to assist refugees from this war in the future, if the United States government makes the determination to do so.

Where will they go? At this time, Ukraine’s neighboring countries, including Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, and Slovakia, have indicated they will accept Ukrainian refugees. Central Europe is already home to millions of Ukrainians, given the region’s close geographical and cultural ties to their home country. It is unlikely, however, that these nations could successfully support a surge of millions of refugees without the support of the U.S. and the wider international community.

We will continue to monitor this situation and update you on new ways you can help, if changes occur.

JOIN US IN PRAYER

We invite you to join with us in accordance with your personal faith and beliefs in prayer for those impacted by this war.

An Interfaith Prayer

Love and Peace,

We pray for all people — men, women and children—

whose lives are in peril in the Ukraine and throughout the world.

We pray for the vision to see

and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence.

Heal the wounds of mind, body and spirit that occur due to the violence in our world.

Help us to devote ourselves to the task of making peace in our own neighborhoods and around the world. No one is hidden from your love.

Help us be home to others. Help us manifest your love and peace to the world.

SHARE

Inspiritus stands in solidarity with our neighbors impacted by the war on Ukraine and we pray for peace, healing, and resolution for all of those impacted. We invite you to repost and share a message of support, on all social media platforms, for our Ukrainian neighbors including: #StandWithUkraine.

Thank you for your continued support for the important work of Inspiritus in empowering those impacted by wars, disasters, and life-changing events locally and abroad. We are grateful for your compassion and commitment to empowering survivors to go from surviving to thriving. Thank you!

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

Thank You for Your Support This Year!

Dear Friends,

I wanted to reach out to all of you before the end of this year and extend to you my warmest wishes this holiday season.

Through your generous support, we were able to empower more people we serve on their journey from surviving to thriving during what was a busy and challenging 2021.

So many of you shared your generosity in various ways: through donations, virtual fundraising activities like the Hunger Walk, and your in-kind gifts (such as the recent 398 coat donations for our Hope Tree program)!

Thank you from all of us here at Inspiritus. We couldn't do what we do without you. Here's wishing you a happy and healthy start to 2022.

With Gratitude,

Rev. John R. Moeller, Jr.
President & CEO
Inspiritus

Giving Tuesday is Today!

Hi Friend,

Giving Tuesday is finally here!

This is a very important fundraising day for us. If you have already supported us this Giving Tuesday, we thank you! If you are looking to give for the first time today, see how your donation can help individuals and families on the path from surviving to thriving:

• $25 will help fight hunger and food insecurity for families in need

• $100 will provide critical supplies for children who are in foster care

• $250 will give hope to tornado and storm survivors in the South

• $1000 will help Afghan Allies and other refugees start a new life

Please show your support by donating today, and by sharing our Giving Tuesday video across your social networks using the hashtags #Inspiritus #GivingTuesday.

We are so grateful for your support!

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Georgia residents: If you live in Georgia, Inspiritus is partnering with Georgia Gives this Giving Tuesday. GAgives is a program of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. Your early donation will help kick-start our efforts! Please donate using the button below:

Outside of Georgia: If you live outside of Georgia, please donate using our main website link below:

Giving Tuesday is a week away!

Dear Friend,

We're just a week from Giving Tuesday! When you join us for #GivingTuesday on November 30, 2021, you help empower and guide more individuals and families on a path from surviving to thriving.

Your donations are especially important this holiday season, as you can help give stability to Afghan refugees like Nadir.*

*Names have been changed to protect the individual mentioned

Nadir, an Oxford educated Economist working at the US Embassy in Afghanistan was resettled in Atlanta recently with his wife and six kids. “We were told to pack and wait for the call. One day felt like a year waiting for that call. I couldn’t think straight. We packed biscuits and water for the kids. We left everything behind. All our money was frozen in the Afghanistan bank. When we received the call, we were told we had 45 minutes to get to the designated location to evacuate. The fear was enormous. On the drive there, no one was on the street because they were in hiding from the Taliban. That made it scarier because there were no crowds to blend in with. We made it in 15 minutes.”

Your gift will empower Nadir and other Afghan Allies to rebuild their lives here in the United States. Not only can you help give stability to Afghan refugee and immigrant families seeking a new life this Giving Tuesday, you can help give comfort to children and adults struggling with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and safety to disaster relief survivors who have been displaced. Please consider the giving levels below:

Georgia residents: If you live in Georgia, Inspiritus is partnering with Georgia Gives this Giving Tuesday. GAgives is a program of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. Your early donation will help kick-start our efforts! Please donate using the button below:

Outside of Georgia: If you live outside of Georgia, please donate using our main website link below:

Last year, you helped Inspiritus raise over $12,000. Join us next Tuesday, November 30, and help us surpass last year's goal!

Let's come together as a community to give... to serve... to THRIVE. Your donations help make our work possible. We hope you can join us. We are so grateful for your support!

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Make a Difference This Giving Tuesday!

Dear Friend,

We're just 13 days away from Giving Tuesday! Last year, you helped Inspiritus raise over $12,000. We are so grateful for your support. When you join us again for #GivingTuesday on November 30, 2021, you help empower and guide more individuals and families on a path from surviving to thriving. See how your gift makes a direct impact below:

Your donations are especially important this holiday season. You can help give stability to Afghan refugee and immigrant families seeking a new life, comfort to children and adults struggling with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and safety to disaster relief survivors who have been displaced. Please consider the giving levels below:

Georgia residents: If you live in Georgia, Inspiritus is partnering with Georgia Gives this Giving Tuesday. GAgives is a program of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. Your early donation will help kick-start our efforts! Please donate using the button below:

Outside of Georgia: If you live outside of Georgia, please donate using our main website link below:

This Giving Tuesday on November 30, we will come together as a community to give... to serve... to THRIVE. Your donations help make our work possible. We hope you can join us!

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Give Hope This Holiday Season

Dear Friends,

The INSPIRITUS Hope Tree program gives the gift of hope to children in foster care, refugee and immigrant families seeking a new life, and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities who may not otherwise receive a gift.

Last year we made some significant changes to what and how we collect Hope Tree gifts due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While we anticipated receiving less support than usual given the widespread impact of the pandemic, we were delighted by the very strong response we received. Thanks to your generosity, everyone on our list received a gift and we were able to meet our deadlines with time to spare!

While we’ve come a long way since the 2020 Hope Tree season, we also know that times are still difficult for many. As we plan for this year we are mindful of the increased number of refugees and immigrants we are serving, as well as the increased number of children in our foster homes. We are also aware that many of our donors and supporters continue to find themselves in different financial circumstances than they were in pre-pandemic days. Still, we trust that the Inspiritus community will rally around those we accompany as it always does, and that there will be more than enough to go around.

This year we are again making it easy to be part of Hope Tree giving. You can contribute in any of the following ways:

1) By providing over 400 gift cards!

We are collecting 250 $25 Amazon gift cards to be used for our Refugee and Immigrant Services and Children and Family Services participants. You can purchase those online here

We are also collecting 155 $25 Walmart gift cards for our Disability Services participants. You can purchase those online here

We do need to RECEIVE all gift cards by December 16, 2021 (whether you purchased them online or at a store).

If you purchased your gift cards offline, please send them to: Inspiritus 731 Peachtree St. NE Suite B Atlanta, GA 30308. If you have questions, please reach out to Sherise Boston, Operations Manager, at Sherise.Boston@weinspirit.org or 404-875-0201 (ext. 1010).

2) By providing over 180 coats!

Coats are being collected exclusively for new refugees & immigrants who will be spending their first winter in the United States. This includes those who have been resettled as part of the new APA (Afghan Placement and Assistance) Program. We may be welcoming an additional 400 Afghans by the end of the year. Our goal may increase to meet the need.

Go to Sign-Up Genius for coat donations here

Thank you for the meaningful ways you live out your lives as people of faith. Inspiritus is blessed to partner with you as we accompany the most vulnerable among us on their journeys from surviving to thriving.

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Also, be sure to join us for #GivingTuesday - the Global Day of Giving on Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021.

We're proud to be a part of this global celebration of giving through GAGives. In this time of uncertainty, there's a fundamental truth that gives us hope - that together we can do extraordinary things.

Save the date and be sure to bookmark this link: https://www.gagives.org/organization/Inspiritus

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Thank you for joining our virtual "State of Inspiritus"

Dear Friend,

Thank you for attending our first annual "State of Inspiritus" virtual event last week. We were thrilled to share with our dedicated supporters how you help make this work possible and the lives impacted

The inspiring stories from our program leaders and organizational insights can be accessed in the recordings below. Please feel free to share these with friends and colleagues who may be interested.

Click links to view:

A Thriving Future

A high-level look at the road ahead (5 mins)

Adapting to Change

An insightful discussion of challenges Inspiritus navigated in recent years (15 minutes)

Surviving to Thriving

What success looks like across Inspiritus’ five major program areas (16 minutes)

Together, We Thrive

Inspiring and strategic ways our community stepped-up and made a difference (5 minutes)

Better Equipping Our Community

How you can safely impact our community and five major programs (14 minutes)

I would like to extend a special thank you to our program panelists, Renee, Sherry, Janet, Becca, and Suzette, and their dedicated teams. They are how we guide so many of our neighbors on the path from surviving to thriving.

Also, please look for our Hope Tree gift program email in the next week. It is another way you can show your support and make an impact directly. By donating gift cards and coats, you will be helping the many individuals and children we serve who otherwise may not receive gifts this holiday season.

We are so grateful for your support.

Warmest Regards,

Rev. John R. Moeller, Jr.
President & CEO
Inspiritus

You're Invited to the "State of Inspiritus" Virtual Event

Dear Friend,

You're invited to our 2021 State of Inspiritus virtual event on Tuesday, October 19 at 7pm EST. It will take a look at what we've accomplished, the challenges we faced in recent years and the road ahead. You will hear inspiring stories from Inspiritus program leaders, how our staff and community helped individuals on their journey from surviving to thriving, and the many ways you can impact lives across our five major program areas, including:

• Disaster Relief

• Children & Family Services

• Refugee & Immigration Services

• Tennessee Empowerment Programs

• Disability & Health Services Programs

We hope you’ll join us on October 19 for this special event–register today by clicking on the button below.

Also, please download and share this flyer detailing the event. We look forward to seeing you at the State of Inspiritus on October 19!

Warmest Regards,

Rev. John R. Moeller, Jr.
President & CEO
Inspiritus

A Word of Thanks from Assistance Recipients

Dear Friends,

When the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 in response to the economic fallout of COVID-19, it provided $2.2 trillion to be distributed among American workers, families, and small businesses who needed it most.

Inspiritus was one of a handful of nonprofits selected to receive CARES funding to distribute to those in need. We have served 4,336 individuals to date through this important funding – helping residents pay their rent, mortgage, and utility bills to prevent evictions following their lost incomes.

However, this outcome was not achieved through CARES funding alone. This amazing work would not be possible without the unwavering support of generous individuals and congregations who rose to the occasion during this extremely difficult time. When our neighbors needed it most, our network of ministries and supporters across Georgia and Tennessee donated the funds to help children and families in their community.

Today, we invite you to hear from some of the individuals who benefited from your generosity (please click on the image below to play):

We invite you to share this video with your friends, colleagues, legislators, and faith-based organizations as you see fit. With your support, Inspiritus will continue to empower individuals and families on their journey from surviving to thriving!

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

For over 90 years, Inspiritus' mission has been to guide individuals and families on a path from surviving to thriving. Inspiritus empowers those whose lives have been disrupted to discover their strengths and resilience, accompanying them as they grow into vibrant contributors to their community. To learn more: weinspirit.org.