Friday, October 18, 2013

2013 Walk Review

"They are to do good, to be rich in good works,
to be generous and ready to share...."

                     1 Timothy 6:18
       Approximately 325 caring, concerned Central KY citizens walked in solidarity at the Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, Sept. 29th for all our sisters and brothers, not only in KY, but around the world struggling with the moral issues of hunger and poverty.

       We were pleased to welcome many new 'faces' representing new churches and organizations!  Joining our mission were Walkers from Christ The King, Historic St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Southland Christian, Montgomery County Public Schools, Diana Evans School of Dance, Jessie Clark and Beaumont Middle Schools, and Costco....along with about 8 'walk-ups'.  WOW! Total 26 church groups and 5 organizations from 6 counties gathering to advocate for the common good of all.

       Abundant Thanks to Steve Wyatt and friends from Woodland Christian, Rev. Wendy and Oxford Christian members, Stacey Stone, her family and youth from UUC, Rev. Jerry and youth from 1st Christian, Winchester, 2nd Presbyterian youth lead by Lucie and Patrick, and Alice, God's Pantry for their very informative, creative, and detailed educational presentations! Your efforts and time involved with researching facts to develop your posters and brochures were imperative with increasing awareness of hunger and poverty. I hope each one of you received as many compliments about your 'stations' as I heard!

       As of today (Oct. 17), with several groups still raising/collecting funds, we have approximately $14,000.  PLEASE continue to promote giving to our CROP Hunger Walk for Thanksgiving and Christmas ..... and your birthday, Mother's and Father's Day, etc. :)  The online site is available through MARCH 14th.

       Once again, MANY THANKS! to my team, participants, recruiters, and volunteers that contributed to our most successful CROP Hunger Walk yet!   Next year's Walk: SUNDAY, SEPT. 28th, 2014.

Peace, Love, and Joy
       Judy Maxson, Walk Coordinator

Friday, September 20, 2013

Be a Part of the Solution!

"One in six people are at risk of being hungry in KY.
We're feeding one in seven people in KY right now."
Marian Guinn, CEO of God's Pantry ....(from 9-18 H-L article)
 
     Every concerned participant in this year's Hunger Walk is feeling an urgency to increase our passionate determination to not only increase this community's awareness of hunger within our neighborhoods but to reach our $30,000 goal to assist God's Pantry and Church World Service.  The moral issues of hunger and poverty are well delineated in the article written by Tom Eblen in the Herald-Leader, 9-18.

     It is unimaginable that our government would even consider ! the proposed drastic cuts in our anti-hunger food programs.  The impact on our most vulnerable sisters and brothers---the working poor, seniors on limited incomes, disabled and yes, OUR children will be devastating!   If this travesty occurs, the gap between the rich and poor will be  'totally off the chart'. ....and then there are the global issues of hunger and poverty that is the cornerstone of Church World Service's mission. They promote food security with programs that empower communities with sustainable agricultural skills, provide water resources to grow crops, support nutrition education, etc.

     Be a part of the solution!  Walk with your Greater Lex. Community to advocate for those in need on SEPT. 29th.  Meet your neighbors at 3 PM (no fee registration).  The 3.2 mile educational Walk begins at 3:30 PM.

     I am pleased to announce that COSCO asked us :) "to help out with the hunger walk."  WOW!! GOOD NEWS indeed!  They will provide water upon your 3 PM arrival.  Do welcome their support, their arrival in Lex., and COSCO's employees that will Walk with us!  THANK YOU!

     Do bring canned meats, peanut butter, other sources of protein foods to the Walk for God's Pantry.  They will also have a display/info table on site.  Create a poster sharing why you are Walking, attached to a yardstick, to carry with you. We want people to know WHY we are Walking!

Looking forward to seeing all of you in just a few days!!
      Blessings,
      Judy Maxson, coordinator



Saturday, August 31, 2013

2013 CROP Hunger Walk Goal Set

"O God, to those who have hunger, give bread,
and to us who have bread, give the hunger for justice."

               Prayer from Latin America

      The 25th Greater Lexington CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk will be SUNDAY, SEPT. 29th beginning with registration (no fee) at 3:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, E. Main.  The 3.2 mile experiential Walk begins at 3:30 PM.  25% of the funds raised are given to our local God's Pantry Food Bank and 75% to Church World Service for global needs. Everyone is welcome to join us on Walk Day.

      Currently, 19 area-wide churches have committed to walking in solidarity to take a stand against the moral issues of hunger and poverty in our communities and around the world.  We were informed by Alice R. from God's Pantry at our recent Recruiter's Rally that the 2012 grant they received from our Walk enabled them to serve 27,000 ! meals to our sisters and brothers in need in Central and Eastern KY.  Our total funds raised last year---$22,444.

      Aware that our efforts DO make a difference, we are diligently working with passionate determination to reach our $30,000 goal this year!

      Our Online Donation site is now available and will be open through March 2014.

      Please review the websites of Church World Service and the God's Pantry to learn more about their programs.

THANK YOU!
      Judy Maxson, coordinator  
      jke659@gmail.com

Beaumont Presbyterian 2012 Walk Team
 
2013 CROP Walk Route (3.2 miles)