On April 22nd Memorial Boulevard Christian Church held its’ 43rd Annual Hike Against Hunger. Despite the threat of rain, 30 people from St Louis area churches walked. Our goal is to raise $12,000.00 for clean water projects in Haiti. Judi Frost, Co-Chair of the Week of Compassion joined us for the Hike.
Many felt the presence of Vera Parks who died shortly before this year’s Hike. Vera, an Elder at Memorial, helped start the Hike with her request for Memorial to sponsor her in a Crop Walk. At the time the pastor, Rev Rhodes Thompson is reported to have said, “Why don’t we do our own Hike for Hunger?” That’s how Memorial Boulevard Christian Church began its Annual Hike Against Hunger.
With a few exceptions, the Hike has benefited a part of the world where hunger issues are great. The particular country and need is chosen with the help of the staff at Week of Compassion in conjunction with people at Memorial. The intention has been to move around the world and benefit the neediest people in any given year. The Hike demonstrates how one person with an idea can spark others to work together to benefit many with God’s help and make a BIG difference!
It is still not too late to make a donation, either to Week of Compassion marked for Memorial’s Hike Against Hunger or to Memorial Boulevard Christian Church (3000 N Kingshighway, St Louis, MO 63115) marked Hike Against Hunger. Money will be collected over the next several months.
Story and photos courtesy of Rev. Margie Pride and Al Graves.