Each September, CAP staff, volunteers, and local supporters participate in our annual Hunger Walk. The event raises awareness of Appalachia’s hunger issues and shows how donors like you provide critical solutions to feeding families in need.

 

Carrie Ballinger, Superintendent of Rockcastle County Schools (RCS), encourages students to participate in this important event. “We partner with Christian Appalachian Project because we have the same mission,” said Ballinger. “CAP works to make sure the community is well fed and that supports are in place to help people thrive. We do the same for our students each day.”

 

Since its inception nine years ago, more and more students from local schools participate in the Hunger Walk. It’s wonderful to see students helping their communities. Staff at each school support student efforts to collect thousands of pounds of food during Hunger Awareness Month, and hundreds of elementary through high school students walk in the event in downtown Mount Vernon.

 

During the early weeks of COVID-19 restrictions, your gifts helped fill weekend backpacks at our Grateful Bread Food Pantry, ensuring that children had food. Crates of milk and other perishable items were donated to the pantry. Pantry staff and RCS family resource coordinators worked together to make sure families didn’t fall through the cracks.

 

“One out of every four students in our schools is food insecure,” Ballinger said. “The backpacks help our elementary and middle school students. We know that we have a high number of students with food insecurities. We are appreciative of the service that CAP provides to these families.”

 

“We are proud of the opportunity our students have to give back to their own community,” shared Ballinger. “If we can instill in them the value of community service and leadership, that is a lifelong lesson that they will have.”

 

Hunger Walk is a one-day event that draws attention to the suffering of our neighbors in Appalachia, but your faithful generosity is vital to maintaining the Grateful Bread Food Pantry and other programs that feed children, their families, and seniors who battle hunger every single day. Thank you for your compassion.