Our church has sponsored The Grocery Run (a 5K race/walk) for the last six years. This is the third or fourth time I’ve walked the 5K. 100% of the proceeds go to hunger ministries, not only at our church but across the city. This year over 1200 people participated, and $41,000 was raised. It was perfect weather for it, really amazing for November—sunny and in the high 40’s, nearly 50° by late morning. Some years it’s been snowing!
In addition to funds, participants bring donated food to FoodLink, a nonprofit organization that sponsors food cupboards, backpack programs, and summer food programs for children. The top left photo shows folks loading the truck with the donated items. The top right is a photo of our retired Associate Pastor for Outreach who has always come in costume for the event. Now our current Outreach Pastor, Lynette, also comes in costume. I love the frame someone created for photo ops! By the time I remembered to take a photo of the finish line, most folks had finished. Needless to say, the runners were done well before any of the walkers! It’s a great way to get some exercise and do some good at the same time.
And so, our election. I went to bed at 10:30 knowing in my heart what the results would be, was awake in the middle of the night for over an hour, and awoke to more anxiety than I can express. One consolation is that Hillary appears to have won the popular vote. (I’ve always believed the Electoral College was a flawed process, and today confirms it.) I find it so hard to understand how one can vote for someone who has shown such contempt for so many groups of Americans, but I also know there is a sense of futility felt by many that causes them to latch on to anyone who promises them a better future. Now to move forward, and to find ways to bridge the wide divisions that exist in this country. So I’ll be praying to find ways to bring about reconciliation in my small corner of the country.
What a worthwhile project to be involved in, and hats off to you all for your enthusiasm and caring :). I have been immensely touched by the wise words and hopes of a positive way forward in so many blogs today, and yours is right up there with them. Thinking of you warmly xx.
Well done on the walk. I have been thinking of all my friends in the USA today and I think your words are very wise.
cool costumes too! Great walk and super proceeds from it!
a very worthy SNAP collection today.
So much discussion today regarding the American vote results. Let us all hope that his “acceptance” speech is an indication of how he truly wants to move forward.
Your fun SNAP brought a smile back on my face and boy! did I need it!
Hugs~
looks a fun way to raise awareness and support for an important cause – I love those costumes too. Given how bad I’ve been feeling about the result, I can only imagine how much worse it is for those of you living there – and yes I agree about the electoral college. Impressed and heartened to see so much gracious acceptance of the result and positive attitudes to reconciliation and making things work locally, as you express so well.
So much money raised for worthwhile cause!
I have enjoyed your blog for a long time, initially because of your flair for design, but also, whilst I do not share your religious convictions, I do very much share your values, which shine through in all you do. Positivity and grace is the only way forward.
Thank you so much.
What a truly excellent cause.
Over here, I thought we’d seen everything politics has to throw at us. But this..
The grocery run event looks like great fun and as you say, great exercise for a good cause. Congrats on the successful fund raising.
I’m not so sure I am as far along in working through my thoughts and feelings as you are – and I appreciate your words of encouragement. Very much so. I am curious: did your friend win the election?
Cheers~
The grocery run looks worthwhile, a friend of mine is a missionary in Hondurus and they feed the children in their programme on 2c per meal. I’m always willing to donate to feeding programmes.
Yes, lots of processing here and lots of working towards understanding and reconciliation needed, on both sides of the pond.
Great name for a good cause! Always good to do one’s bit.
It sounds like this was another successful fundraiser & looks like a great day for the run/walk!
I’m catching up on lots of blog reading this week & have been surprised to learn everyone’s thoughts on the election. We stayed up ’til the acceptance speech & went to bed relieved there wouldn’t be another Clinton in the White House. There were so many negatives surrounding both candidates & it saddens me terribly how divided our country truly is right now. I’m praying that we’ll all come together and show kindness to everyone, regardless of whether or not we agree on all the issues.
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