By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

RAYMOND — On Good Friday community members will be taking to the back roads to battle hunger one mile at a time.

The pre-Easter walk is a dual fundraiser for both the Raymond and Casco food pantries, according to one of the event’s organizers, Martha Morrison.

While residents can choose to dedicate the money to collect to food pantries in either town, there is a cornucopia of reasons to be part of the walk, she said.

“It is for a good cause. It’s good exercise. It’s a good way to contribute to helping somebody,” she said.

[stextbox id="info" float="true" width="250"]

What: Good Friday Hunger Walk to benefit Raymond and Casco food pantries.

When & Where: Two-way (16 miles) trekkers meet at Raymond Village Church of Christ at 5:30 a.m. on Friday. RVCC is located on Main Street, off Route 302 in Raymond.

When & Where: One-way (8 miles) walkers gather at Casco Village Church of Christ at 8 a.m. on Friday. CVCC is located on Main Street/Route 121 in Casco Village.

Bring: Funds collected for food pantries.

[/stextbox]

This year’s Good Friday Walk for Hunger falls on April 6, while school children are released for Easter Vacation, according to Morrison.

Walkers can show up earlier to take a 16-mile trek, or participants can join later for the eight-mile walk.

The first round of walkers will meet at the Raymond Village Church of Christ (RVCC) at 5:30 a.m. RVCC is located on Main Street. That early bird group will walk to Route 121, and take that road until they reach the Casco Village Church of Christ.

The one-way walkers will begin at 8 a.m. at the church in Casco Village — joining the two-way walkers on their journey back to RVCC, she said.

Volunteers will serve hot food at the Raymond-based house of worship.

“Beginning at 10 a.m., there will be soups and breads and desserts for the walkers,” she said, adding organizers predict the walkers from Casco will be returning to Raymond between 10 and 10:30 a.m.

But food will continue to be plated up — as participants wrap up the Walk For Hunger event.

According to Morrison, participants can donate the money they collect to whichever food pantry they want to support. She reminded people to bring their fundraised money on the day of the walk.

A recent nationwide study revealed that Maine is ranked 13th in the United States based on the number of people going without meals.

In Raymond, the food pantry provides nourishment for about 35 families on a bi-monthly basis, she said.

Those statistics can be food for thought.

“You can have a contemplative journey, and explore the messages of Good Friday and Easter,” Morrison said, reading from a brochure about the walk.

“Someone wrote, ‘Come enjoy the fellowship of walking with friends and family.’ And that’s a good idea. For example, (RVCC Minister) Nancy Foran is walking the 16 miles with the minister from the Casco church,” she said.