Participants in the Thanksgiving Day Gobble Jog. Pictured center: former client AliMae Hartley returns to volunteer for MUST.
More than 8,000 people gather on the Marietta Square each Thanksgiving morning for the annual Gobble Jog. The yearly proceeds now exceed $500,000 and continue to benefit MUST Ministries, one of Georgia’s most respected servant leaders. Learn about the organization and the good work they do all year long.
by Amber Byrd
‘Tis the season for traditions. And for many local families, lacing up their shoes on Thanksgiving morning is the annual precursor to a tryptophan-induced slumber. The annual Thanksgiving Day Gobble Jog is as much a Marietta tradition as turkey and pie. Now in its thirteenth year, the race is now America’s eighth largest Thanksgiving Day race and supports MUST Ministries as their largest fundraising effort of the year. But the work of this prolific organization doesn’t stop on Thanksgiving Day. So we sat down with Ike Reighard, President and CEO of MUST Ministries, to learn what MUST Ministries does the other 364 days of the year.
“Georgia has led in the growth of suburban poverty. It is very, very real,” says Reighard. “We are unique because we are a suburban ministry. Poverty was usually thought of as an urban problem rather than suburban. That’s where the Gobble Jog comes in as an integral part to meet this need.” More than 8,000 people come together to support MUST Ministries on their Thanksgiving Day race, many in teams. Reighard’s family laces up for the race each year for their family team jokingly named “The Fruitcakes.” Neighborhoods, families, friends, and businesses form teams in an effort to end poverty in our community.
“When those runners are running the Gobble Jog they are helping to feed people, house people, give clothing to people – they are helping people to get jobs,” Reighard said.
A staggering 65% of MUST’s clients are children age 18 or under. Sadly, Georgia is among the top 10 states for food insecurities in children. Three out of every five children in our area schools are in a free or reduced lunch program.
Perhaps there is no better person who can attest to the full scope of how MUST Ministries changes lives than a child once helped by the organization, now giving back to other children in poverty.
Consider the story of AliMae Hartley. She was just a baby when her mother abandoned her and her two siblings. With no support from their father, they moved to Georgia to be with their grandparents. When their grandparents passed away, life became a struggle. AliMae, her brother, and her sister went to school hungry every day. Their only meals were the lunches in the cafeteria. Behind the scenes, cafeteria employees would give them double helpings and would often bring them canned food so the children would have something to eat at home.
But when summer break came, they could no longer rely on the assistance of the cafeteria staff. They didn’t know what to do. AliMae heard of the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program, and she went to see what it was all about. The volunteers at MUST Ministries had sack lunches ready for them that day, and every day that summer. It was a life- changer, and a life-saver, for little AliMae and her two siblings.
Since that time, AliMae has grown up to be a blessed young lady with amazing adoptive parents and an excitement for life without poverty or hunger. Today,she volunteers at the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program. The hand that was once helped is now helping. She understands firsthand how important the fight to end childhood hunger is. Reighard proudly said, “She is one of the greatest ambassadors for MUST. She embodies what our mission is all about. She has overcome obstacles and is embracing the opportunity to encourage other people. We are very proud of her.” The Summer Lunch program has given out an astounding two million meals in the program’s 20 year history.
A volunteer serves a MUST client; preparing beds at The Elizabeth Inn.
In addition to the Summer Lunch program, MUST Ministries also provides shelter, food, clothing, and employment services for individuals, families, and children. For nearly 45 years MUST has helped in so many ways.
One of the most special programs is the Christmas Toy Shop. This time of year is full of excitement for the little ones who are anticipating Santa’s arrival. But for the children and families being helped by MUST Ministries, the holidays can be a time of sadness rather than joy.
MUST Ministries knows that giving the gift of excitement and wonder to children on Christmas morning is a gift you can’t see, but you can certainly feel. That’s why they opened their Toy Shop. Available for those who can’t afford to purchase gifts, parents are encouraged to pick out special toys to put under the tree. Last year MUST helped 3,800 families with Toy Shops in two stores, and they will help even more families this year by expanding to a third store. The Toy Shop is stocked with donated toys and truly gives the gift of Christmas to children and families in need.
Our community has been blessed by the helping hands at MUST. So this holiday season, consider donating anything you can – time, talent, food, money, toys – to help these families in need. And don’t forget to create a team for the Gobble Jog. Registration is easy at GobbleJog.org. And as an extra special treat, stay after the run and skate on the new Marietta Square ice rink; all proceeds on Thanksgiving Day benefit MUST.
Join the more than 6,000 volunteers who are continually helping MUST Ministries achieve its goal of being Georgia’s most respected servant-leader. Together, let’s break the cycle of poverty. We MUST. We can.
