Hunger Walk 2012

Why in the world would 13,000 people pack into their cars and drive to Turner Field on a Sunday afternoon for a stroll past the State capital, through the Georgia State campus and back again?  The route amounts to a giant circle, 5 kilometers in circumference.  There are marching bands, tents, tail-gaiting, camera crews from local news stations, and throngs and throngs and throngs of people. It feels like a circus.

Because it’s the annual Atlanta Hunger Walk. The walk started 27 years ago as a way to raise funds and awareness for the Atlanta Community Food bank. In 2011 it raised over half a million dollars to support hunger and poverty relief.  This year it is Sunday, March 11^th, and I’m inviting you to support this worthy effort.

 Why should we bother?  Consider these facts:

  + Nearly 1.7 million Georgians (17.9%) are living in poverty according to the latest US Census Bureau American  Community Survey report released in September 2011.  Many counted here are children.

+ Georgia’s unemployment rate has increased significantly over the past three years, currently at 10.3%.

+ According the US Census Bureau, more than one in ten senior citizens are living in poverty.

+ Jesus fed the hungry. See Mark 8:1-13, John 6:1-14, Matthew 25:35.

It is often the case where we are overwhelmed with societal problems and are unsure how to respond. The Hunger Walk is an opportunity to raise awareness, participate with other Lutherans and people of faith, and perhaps raise money to fight for the cause.  It is also really fun to walk.

 Here’s what you can do:

   +  Come to worship on March 11^th and then join the carpool to the 5K Hunger Walk and take a nice afternoon stroll. No need to pay or anything, just join the effort.

+ Ask friends and family to help sponsor this effort. If you raise $25.00 you will get a      free T-shirt. Register online at the Atlanta 2012 website,      http://www.hungerwalkrun.org/.  We are with Lutheran Services of Georgia.  Amazing Grace has a group to register under.

+  Not walk but support someone who is walking.

Lent is a season of repentance, fasting, and self-denial. In our walk with Jesus, we are mindful of his relentless concern for those who are less-fortunate than ourselves. Gluttony, one of theSeven Deadly Sins we’ve been talking about this Lent, is related to stewardship. If we ate just 3% less in snacks alone and gave that money to the hungry, the world would be a much better place. The Hunger Walk is a simple way to demonstrate our faith in Jesus and, along with bunch of Jesus’s friends, show our concern for others.

For more information and to talk about carpooling, contact Butch Whitehead, head of our council’s Action committee at 770 693 5750 or jcwhiteead@saturnfreight.com.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jason Talsness