Hunger Walk Raises $17,000 for Food Ministries
Thursday, September 7, 2017
by Bailey Basham, Messenger Staff Writer
More than 250 walkers and 65 sponsors came together to raise upwards of $17,000 at the third annual Hunger Walk.
Last year’s number was just over $13,000. The firstHunger Walk in 2015 had more than 200 walkers and 44 sponsors, raising just under $9,000.
Funds raised will go to support local food ministries at Morton United Methodist Church and the Community Action Committee at Otey Parish. A portion of the money will also go to Blue Monarch to be matched by three other Rotary Clubs in the state.
“The funds we raised will help Morton Memorial cover purchase of additional food that the federal government is not able to provide due to current budget constraints.
“It is equivalent to roughly five months worth of purchase for Morton food bank,” said John Noffsinger, Rotarian, Morton Memorial attendee and member of the Hunger Walk planning committee.
Betty Carpenter, Director of Community Action Committee (CAC) at Otey, said the program has been in existence for 42 years. The money raised by the Hunger Walk will continue to allow the CAC to support community members.
“The money will go directly to the services that we provide—directly to our food pantry. We distribute approximately two tons of food every 5–6 weeks, and we’re able to provide food and other assistance just as the needs arise. With food stamps being cut, we’re getting more requests. I’m just so grateful for the efforts. Making people aware of the great need by profiling the two entities that address food insecurity, I think it increases people’s awareness and increases people’s knowledge of food insecurity,” she said.
Carpenter said the money raised will cover about five months of services at the CAC.
Planning is already underway for the fourth annual Hunger Walk. To stay up-to-date, visit www.facebook.com/SewaneeHungerWalk/.