Hurricane Ian: Message from the CEO

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you from the road. Today, I am journeying to Fort Myers, Florida, one of the epicenters of Hurricane Ian‘s landfall. I am bringing a much needed vehicle to the Inspiritus team that will be used to shuttle staff and volunteers around the area during our Response. Unfortunately, there are no rental vehicles to be found in South Florida right now. I’m also here to check on the team and survey our base of operations in SW Florida. My final goal is to gain an understanding of the magnitude of the devastation so that I may be a credible witness to the pain and suffering of those in the region.

I am grateful for our disaster services team’s quick thinking to pre-position resources in south Georgia last weekend to be ready to deploy this week. Thanks to the quick thinking, the team is already conducting assessments and deploying work crews this Tuesday afternoon in the Fort Myers area. I am also grateful for relationships with multiple church bodies that have provided local intelligence and hospitality that have enabled Inspiritus to establish a base of operations so quickly. Donations and financial commitments have poured in over the last couple of days, and the need is great. The Home Depot Foundation, Lowe’s, the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and individuals have generously committed significant funding to fuel the immediate response work. Lastly, I am humbled by the outpouring of people from all across the country who want to volunteer with Inspiritus in the aftermath of the storm. I look forward to shaking their hands and thanking them for their sacrifice and service to survivors of the storm.

Thank you for the meaningful ways you share your care and support as we accompany the most vulnerable among us. I ask that you might prayerfully consider donating to empower survivors to go from surviving to thriving: weinspirit.org/donate. As the days progress, I hope to provide further updates from ground zero.

                                                                       Sincerely,

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

Hurricane Ian: Disaster Relief Update 1

Zuram Rodriguez surveys the damage around her home in Davie, Florida, from winds believed to be fueled by Hurricane Ian early on Wednesday. Credit: Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP

Dear Friend,

Hurricane Ian is expected to make landfall this afternoon in Southwest Florida. It is currently a very high Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 155 mph with 20” or more of rain. The National Hurricane Center has warned of “life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding in the Florida Peninsula", with millions under evacuation orders. Significant river flooding is likely across central Florida with hurricane conditions hitting Florida’s west coast Wednesday into Thursday. Georgia and South Carolina are also anticipating significant rain and flooding later this week.

Owners board their Gulf Bistro Restaurant in St. Pete Beach Florida in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. on Tuesday. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Inspiritus’ disaster teams are currently staging in Georgia and preparing to respond where needed. While it is not yet clear precisely where Ian will land ashore, Inspiritus staff has been in touch with local officials and partnering organizations in Florida and Georgia to coordinate our efforts as quickly and efficiently as possible. In the coming days, we will share more information about the storm’s impact and how Inspiritus is helping.

Photo: Damage is seen at the Kings Point condos in Delray Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. Officials believe it was caused by a tornado fueled by Hurricane Ian. Credit: Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE

Donate to Inspiritus: The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help homeowners impacted by the Hurricane. Your support will provide free debris removal, muck & gut services and water purification to help families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER

As Hurricane Ian develops, we will keep you updated on the volunteer needs for this Response operation. In the meantime, you can learn more about volunteering with Inspiritus here:

Please join us in prayer for the residents and responders that are currently in the path of this catastrophic Hurricane. May the winds and waves find calm and those who are on its path, reach safety and refuge from harm.

Sincerely,

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!

Advocacy: Disability Services in Georgia

Dear Friends,

At Inspiritus, our Disability & Health Services program offers residential housing to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in a host home setting. These homes offer an intimate and person-centered residence with compassionate, well-trained support companions, who collaborate with state and regional agencies to provide a coordinated plan of care and support.

In the state of Georgia, these Support Companions are known as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and they make our mission of empowering those we accompany possible. DSPs are central to the health and safety of those living with IDD, as our Support Companions accommodate a number of medical issues, such as seizure disorder, incontinence, speech disorders, hypertension, and diabetes. We could not empower the individuals we accompany without their support.

Sadly, Inspiritus and other IDD providers are currently facing a crisis of epic proportion in our ability to obtain and preserve a skilled workforce of Direct Support Professionals to provide safe and secure services for individuals we accompany. The DSP turnover rate for IDD providers is approaching 50% with the average DSP in Georgia having been on the job for less than one year. Georgia services are funded at a rate that only allows for an hourly DSP wage of $10.64 or $22,131 annually. No one in Georgia can live on that wage. No one can pay rent, buy food, gas, and insurance for that amount.

This is the current reality of the DSP workforce crisis, and it is critical to address it in a meaningful and impactful way as soon as possible. Without a well-trained and stable DSP workforce, individuals with IDD are in peril and are at risk.

The time to act is now, but we cannot do it alone. We need your help to ensure DSPs are paid a living wage so we can further empower the individuals we accompany on their journey from surviving to thriving.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Join our call to action in supporting a 5% increase on all waiver services to help address the DSP workforce crisis.

By signing the petitions below, you can advocate for a $6,150,000 increase of funding to be added to the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget, and for a $12.3m to be added to the 2023 budget to annualize this 5% increase.

We invite you to join us in sending an email to your Georgia state legislators asking that they provide funding for increased DSP wages. It is imperative that Georgia's General Assembly include funding in the state budget during the 2022 legislative session to provide an hourly wage for DSPs that will encourage stability, reduce turnover, and demonstrate our state’s belief that Georgians with IDD do deserve high quality support from a stable and skilled workforce.

A template has been created so that all you need to do is enter your information and hit "send". However, you also have the option to personalize the email if you would like to enter a personal story about how this issue is impacting your life. Let them know how important Direct Support Professionals are and ask them to act now to increase DSP wages and address the workforce shortage.

Our success depends on YOUR participation! Sign and circulate the DSP Petition AND use the GCDD tool to communicate your support of a 5% increase to legislators directly.

We invite you to circulate each of these advocacy activities with your families, friends, collogues, and community partners to ensure our voice is heard in the Georgia state legislature.

Thank you for your continued support in empowering those we accompany on their journeys from surviving to thriving!

Sincerely,

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

Updates: The War on Ukraine

The sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower, is becoming a global symbol of solidarity.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Last week, the world woke to the grim news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Those impacted may be loved ones of yours or strangers – all are in our thoughts and prayers during this devastating time. Please join us, in whatever way is right for you, in uplifting the citizens of Ukraine and all those impacted by this and other wars in your hearts, in your actions, and in your prayers.

Inspiritus stands in solidarity with our Ukrainian neighbors and is resolute in our commitment to supporting refugees and those impacted by wars. Inspiritus has been a U.S. resettlement agency in the Southeastern US since 1981, and has long accompanied refugees and families impacted by wars throughout the world. Our teams empower refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants across Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.

The Inspiritus network includes many beloved individuals with Ukrainian roots and ties who have themselves been refugees, staff, volunteers, donors and friends. We want to recognize and lift them up during this difficult time. We recognize the trauma and fear they are enduring now. We also recognize that war and the threat of war, such as this, can be retraumatizing for those who have made the US their home after enduring wars in their own countries. For all of us, seeing images of and hearing of the violence and threat that is occurring can induce fear and stress. We lift up each of you in our hearts and prayers.

We invite you to strengthen your hearts, join us in prayer, and advocate on behalf of those impacted by this developing war on Ukraine. At this time, here are a few ways you can help:

ADVOCATE FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

TAKE ACTION! Join Inspiritus in urging the Biden administration to support Ukrainians here and abroad by:

• Providing humanitarian assistance

• Rebuilding a robust, well-resourced refugee program

• Designating Ukraine for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to protect Ukrainians already in the U.S.

• Granting Special Student Relief (SSR) to allow eligible students from Ukraine to remain in the U.S.

After sending a message to the administration, join us in calling on Congress to urgently pass an emergency supplemental appropriations bill for foreign assistance to Ukraine, where a majority of the emergency funding would go to helping Ukrainian refugees in Europe.

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!

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

Photo cred: NBC News

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

Inspiritus on CNBC: Afghan Ally Interview

Dear Friend,

We at Inspiritus feel it is important to give refugees an opportunity to tell their stories about their journey to the United States and for Americans to learn about the experience refugees go through in their pursuit of coming here.

Recently, an Afghan ally being resettled in Georgia by Inspiritus had the opportunity to share their story with CNBC on “The News with Shepard Smith.”

This impactful news piece shares the story of Syed (not his real name), a refugee who tried eight times to enter the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan so he could he fly his wife and children to safety. A former employee at the U.S. Embassy, he had the necessary paperwork but the large number of people attempting to flee made gaining access to the airport next to impossible.

On their second-to-last try, they got closer to the airport and he stepped out of line to ask a question. The Taliban beat him in front of his family. Twenty minutes after Syed and his family went home a suicide bomber struck the airport killing dozens of people.

On their final try, Syed and his family were able to enter and be approved for departure. Unfortunately, the Taliban guards seized all of their luggage and threw away all of the family’s belongings despite their pleading.

Hear Syed's story in his own words below:

We often say that refugees arrive in the United States “with only the clothes on their backs”. While each client’s story is different, Syed’s example helps us gain greater understanding into why that may be the case, especially for those coming to the U.S. from Afghanistan.

Coming to America is “a big chance, very big chance,” Syed told CNBC. “I’m trying to rebuild my life again like from zero.” His dream now is to work in finance again.

Syed isn't alone. All told, Inspiritus expects to welcome 200-300 families in the next 12 months, including 500 Afghan allies and 850 refugee arrivals from other countries. Most of these new neighbors will be children, accompanied by their parents.

When you donate to Inspiritus, you provide emergency financial support for families to cover any unmet housing and medical costs. You support the distribution of food, school supplies, hygiene kits and other resources to new Americans. You invest in our local staff capacity—the heart of our essential programs and services—so there are compassionate and empathetic professionals ready to welcome families to their new home and help them secure employment, learn English, enroll in school and start to rebuild their lives. No donation is too small!

We appreciate your support of our work to help individuals like Syed and his family go from surviving to thriving.

Thank you,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
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

Day 19: Middle Tennessee Floods & Hurricane Ida Update

Dear Friend,

Inspiritus Response teams are still on the ground in Waverly, Tennessee following last month’s deadly floods, and will serve this community for at least a month. We have now extended our time on the ground to six weeks, thanks to the generous support of donors like you.

We are also on the ground in Louisiana where we are purifying water for communities in need. Our team first arrived in Metairie, LA over Labor Day weekend with our new WOW Cart, which can purify 6,000-10,000 gallons of water per day and we are now providing pure water to communities without.

An Inspiritus volunteer is supporting this homeowner by assessing her home's needs and helping her connect with volunteers from our VOAD partner, Team Rubicon.

WHAT WE ARE DOING (Day 19 Update)

• Volunteer Housing Camp (TN): Inspiritus' Disaster Relief staff and team leads began arriving in Waverly, TN on August 22 and are living at a temporary Inspiritus Volunteer Responder Housing camp.

• Volunteer Reception Center (TN): Our team has established a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) in Humphreys County, in partnership with the County and TEMA. The VRC is operating in front of the Dollar Tree in Waverly, TN. (The purpose of a VRC in a disaster zone is to provide a location where all volunteers who show up to help can register and be assigned to organized projects where they are needed most.)

• Assistance Call Center (TN): The call center has been relocated to operate in the VRC and is being supported by Inspiritus oversight. (A Call Center receives requests for assistance and aid.)

• Distribution Resource Center (TN): Inspiritus teams are helping manage the Distribution Resource Center at the Humphreys County fairgrounds. (A Distribution Resource Center is established as a centralized resource where donated resources are received and redistributed to multiple distribution sites throughout the impacted communities.)

• Debris Removal, Muck & Gut (TN): Our team leads are actively deploying volunteers to provide debris removal and muck & gut services. (Debris Removal: Volunteers use chainsaws, heavy equipment and gloves to remove fallen trees and debris. Muck & Gut: Volunteers wear full body safety gear to enter flooded homes and remove damaged sheetrock, cabinetry, flooring, belongings, etc. These free services often save each homeowner up to $30,000.)

• Demolition (TN): Volunteers are actively deploying to conduct heavy equipment demolition of private properties.

• Water Purification (LA): Volunteers are purifying water in Louisiana with our new WaterStep WOW Cart, which can purify up to 10k gallons a day.

“Without Inspiritus and the leadership they’ve provided to the VOAD [Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster], we could not have responded to this crisis effectively and would have had to muddle through. We are a small jurisdiction with a small public safety team and their [Inspiritus] partnership was essential. We are months ahead of where we would have been, thanks to Inspiritus.” -Officer John Chapman, Incident Commander, Humphreys County Sheriff’s Department

Photo: Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee with Inspiritus' Sherry Buresh and the Humphreys County Assistant Incident Commander and Colleague.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE

Donate to Inspiritus: The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground helping homeowners impacted by the flooding. Your support will provide free debris removal, muck & gut services and property demolition to families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

Donate to The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA: Donations may also be made to support the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA disaster relief efforts (i.e. volunteer mobilization, emotional and spiritual care, material resources to help families, etc.). Donations may be made here.

VOLUNTEER

This work would not be possible without hundreds of HEROIC volunteers, including those who have driven in locally, as well as Team Leads who have come in from around the country and are living in Waverly, TN at our local Volunteer Housing Camp for the month.

Prayerfully consider joining us in Waverly, TN now through October 1. We especially need Team Leads to guide volunteer groups with Muck & Gut and Debris Removal, but all hands are welcome and all skills can be helpful. Please contact Sherry Buresh: sherry.buresh@weinspirit.org.

Volunteer setting up Inspiritus' Water-on-Wheels Mobile Water Cart (W.O.W. Cart) donated by Waterstep.

Volunteers in Waverly, TN, helping to load supplies from the Distribution Resource Center

OUR PARTNERS

Inspiritus' teams could not serve without the support of our partners. The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA has generously provided a $10,000 contribution to help rapidly deploy Inspiritus teams to Waverly, TN. With this support, we are helping manage the Humphreys County Volunteer Reception Center, Volunteer Distribution Center, and the Volunteer Responders Housing Camp, while also training and deploying volunteer teams to assess and provide homeowners with debris removal and muck & gut services.

Partners collaborating with us include:

• The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA

• Lowe's

• International Orthodox Christian Charities

• Mennonite Disaster Services

• Airlink

• Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)

• Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (TN VOAD)

• Toolbank USA

• Humphreys County Emergency Management Office

• Incident Commander & Sheriff's Office

Please continue to join us in prayer for those families impacted, and for the strength of the volunteers serving on the ground now. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Inspiritus in the News: Helping Afghan Allies

Dear Friend,

I hope you had a restful Labor Day weekend. I am so excited to share some good news with you. As you know, we have been actively spreading the word about our efforts to welcome Afghan Allies, to help raise funding so that every family we welcome can successfully go from surviving to thriving.

Recently, many news outlets have helped us get the word out. I'd like to share some of those highlights with you today.

On Labor Day, Inspiritus was included in a front page story in The New York Times and on "Your World with Neil Cavuto" on FOX News. Special thanks to John Moeller and Aimee Zangandou for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the Afghan families we are welcoming.

Click here to watch John's interview on Fox News or on image below:

Click here to read the The New York Times article featuring Aimee Zangandou.

In addition to those exciting national news stories, John, Aimee, and other Inpiritus staff and volunteers have been busy helping local news outlets share how the public can join us in welcoming Afghan Allies.

In Georgia, listeners to the 19 radio stations of Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) learned more about Inspiritus thanks to an interview with Aimee Zangandou, Inspiritus' Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services. GPB mentioned that the federal government offers only a 90-day period of assistance and nonprofit organizations need additional funding to help these families succeed. Click here to hear Aimee on Georgia Public Broadcasting, PBS, and NPR.

In Savannah, where nearly 100% of Afghans and other refugees Inspiritus resettles are financially self-sufficient within six months of arrival, media outlets are stepping up and helping to educate the community about Inspiritus and the Afghan families we are preparing to resettle locally.

Thank you to Savannah’s WTOC Ch. 11 CBS, WTGS Fox28, WSAV Ch. 3 NBC and WJCL 22 News ABC for their ongoing commitment to telling our story. This recent WJCL interview (featuring Aimee) typifies the support we have received from the Savannah media.

Please feel welcomed to share these news articles with your family and friends. Each one highlights a different aspect of our work to help Afghan allies who have given so much to support U.S. military efforts.

So many of our readers have begun to donate to this cause. Thank you. 100% of your donated funds will directly support Afghan families resettling in Georgia. If you have not yet given, we invite you to prayerfully consider joining us in this mission. You will help make sure every family we settle here in Georgia will have the housing, food, and clothing they need to go from surviving to thriving.

Please continue to join us in prayer for our Afghan friends, as well as our hard working staff, volunteers and donors who are giving them the hero’s welcome they deserve. Thank you for joining us in this mission.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 12: Middle Tennessee Flooding Update

Dear Friend,

Inspiritus Response teams are still on the ground in Waverly, Tennessee following last week’s deadly flash floods, and will serve this community for at least a month.

This work would not be possible without hundreds of HEROIC volunteers, including those who have driven in locally, as well as Team Leads who have come in from around the country and are living at our local Volunteer Housing Camp for the month.

Volunteers from across the country are welcomed and deployed at the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) operating inside of a grocery store in Waverly, TN. The VRC is managed by Inspiritus in partnership with the County and TEMA.

There is an urgent need for assistance to continue the work of helping the hundreds of families whose homes were flooded last week. Inspiritus is committed to continuing our work in Middle Tennessee, both in communities impacted by last week’s floods, as well as in South Nashville, where the recovery efforts from earlier floods are just getting underway.

Inspiritus Disaster Relief Director, Sherry Buresh, helps us collaborate with other organizations who want to help. Shown here: Veteran owned Houston County Coffee Company from Erin, TN. (@hococoffeecompany)

WHAT WE ARE DOING (Day 12 Update)

• Volunteer Housing Camp: Inspiritus' Disaster Relief staff and team leads began arriving in Waverly, TN on August 22 and are living at a temporary Inspiritus Volunteer Responder Housing camp.

• Volunteer Reception Center: Our team has established a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) in Humphreys County, in partnership with the County and TEMA. The VRC is operating in front of the Dollar Tree in Waverly, TN. (The purpose of a VRC in a disaster zone is to provide a location where all volunteers who show up to help can register and be assigned to organized projects where they are needed most.)

• Assistance Call Center: The call center has been relocated to operate in the VRC and is being supported by Inspiritus oversight. (A Call Center receives requests for assistance and aid.)

• Distribution Resource Center: Inspiritus teams are helping manage the Distribution Resource Center at the Humphreys County fairgrounds. (A Distribution Resource Center is established as a centralized resource where donated resources are received and redistributed to multiple distribution sites throughout the impacted communities.)

• Debris Removal, Muck & Gut: Our team leads are actively deploying volunteers to provide debris removal and muck & gut services. (Debris Removal: Volunteers use chainsaws, heavy equipment and gloves to remove fallen trees and debris. Muck & Gut: Volunteers wear full body safety gear to enter flooded homes and remove damaged sheetrock, cabinetry, flooring, belongings, etc. These free services often save each homeowner up to $30,000.)

• Demolition: Volunteers are actively deploying to conduct heavy equipment demolition of private properties.
  

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE

Donate to Inspiritus: The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground helping homeowners impacted by the flooding. Your support will provide free debris removal, muck & gut services and property demolition to families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

Donate to The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA: Donations may also be made to support the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA disaster relief efforts (i.e. volunteer mobilization, emotional and spiritual care, material resources to help families, etc.). Donations may be made here.

VOLUNTEER

Prayerfully consider joining us in Waverly, TN between September 2-18. Please contact Sherry Buresh: sherry.buresh@weinspirit.org.

An Inspiritus Volunteer meets with a homeowner to assess their needs before sending out a volunteer team to remove flood damaged flooring, sheet rock and cabinetry.

OUR PARTNERS

Inspiritus' teams could not serve without the support of our partners. The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA has generously provided a $10,000 contribution to help rapidly deploy Inspiritus teams to Waverly, TN. With this support, we are helping to setup and manage the Volunteer Reception Center, Volunteer Responders Housing Camp, and training and deploying volunteer teams to provide homeowners with debris removal and muck & gut services.

Additional partners collaborating with us include:

• Lowe's

• International Orthodox Christian Charities

• Mennonite Disaster Services

• Airlink

• Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)

• Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (TN VOAD)

• Toolbank USA

• Humphreys County Emergency Management Office

• Incident Commander & Sheriff's Office

Please continue to join us in prayer for those families impacted, and for the strength of the volunteers serving on the ground now. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

UPDATE: Afghan Families are Arriving Now

Welcome Our Afghan Allies to Georgia.

Inspiritus staff and partners have welcomed the first Afghan allies family we are resettling in Georgia, following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in August 2021. For those of you following the journey of the first two families arriving, this is the second family Inspiritus expected...they arrived first! Upon arriving on American soil, a hotel worker drove them across the country to help them arrive to their new home in Atlanta as fast as possible. We will provide an update soon on the next family to arrive in Savannah, Georgia.

(Left to right: Becca, Alix & Kimberlie) Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services staff provided a warm welcome to the family.

Ahmad (a former Afghan refugee himself), an Inspiritus employee and Afghan advocate, helped welcome the first arrivals by sharing a meal, lovingly prepared by his family.

Inspiritus has a long history of welcoming refugees and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders to Georgia and accompanying them on their journey from surviving to thriving in Georgia. Inspiritus has been approved by the U.S. government to resettle and support an estimated 15-25 Afghan families (mostly children) into the metro Atlanta and Savannah areas over the next 6 months. Please continue to pray for the families we are awaiting.

You can help. Here’s how:

So many of our readers have begun to donate to this cause. Thank you. 100% of your donated funds will directly support Afghan families resettling in Georgia. If you have not yet given, we invite you to prayerfully consider joining us in this mission.

When our Afghan allies and their families arrive at Inspiritus, they often have little more than the clothes on their backs. In some cases, there can be a gap between the families’ arrivals and the services they are eligible to receive through the United States resettlement program.

This is where you can help. Your financial support to sponsor an Afghan family will provide food, housing assistance, clothing, and other basic needs for our newest neighbors.

We need your urgent help to give them the hero’s welcome they deserve.

Many of our friends and colleagues want to help but don’t know how. Share this fundraiser, or host your own, and empower your friends to directly support Afghan families that Inspiritus will be resettling in Georgia. In addition to the two families we are welcoming, the Inspiritus teams in Atlanta and Savannah are preparing to resettle an estimated 15-25 Afghan families as they are able to safely travel to the United States. Follow this Fundraiser for updates on the status of these families.

As we anticipate to support a large influx of Afghan SIVs, securing affordable housing is our number one priority. If you live within 50 miles of Atlanta or Savannah, Georgia, and are willing to provide temporary housing in your home or have a rental property you would like to make available, please let us know. For more information, please email Sarah Burke.

You may also consider purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List or sharing it with your friends and family. The gift cards, household and personal care items purchased from our Amazon Wish List will go directly to the families we are helping to resettle in Georgia.

Lift up your hearts in prayer for our Afghan friends. Visit LIRS’ website for both a Christian and an interfaith prayer.

Sincerely,

Aimee Zangandou
Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services
Inspiritus