Love Thy Neighbor walk raises awareness, brings community together

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Community members in Charleston walked into the heart of downtown Wednesday for a cause.

Led by Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center and Kanawha County Collective, dozens turned out for the second annual Love Thy Neighbor walk to raise awareness for Hunger and Homelessness during its awareness week.

“I thought it was appropriate that we come together as a collective among all service providers who provide for individuals experiencing homelessness,” John Thompson, the Executive Director of Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center said.

“I stress homelessness, not homeless because there are no homeless people there are people without a home. Homelessness is such a pejorative term.”

The walk started Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Roark-Sullivan on Smith Street, continued down Capitol Street, and ended at Adelphia where the group had lunch and raised more money for their cause. Adelphia had pledged a certain percentage of all bills Wednesday to go towards homelessness and hunger.

Volunteers had collected non-perishable food items to be donated to Manna Meal, which was also visited during the walk.

Thompson said its called Love Thy Neighbor for a reason.

“Each and every individual in the community is our neighbor, whether they are experiencing homelessness or not,” he said. “They are people who need to be reintegrated into the community and not ostracized and labeled as addict, homeless. It’s loving thy neighbor and we are all neighbors.”

According to Feeding America, more than 268,000 people are struggling with hunger in West Virginia.

Thomspon urged anyone that wants to help with the drive to go to the Kanawha Valley Collective website or the event’s Facebook page.

Along with food, the organizations have been asking for blankets, gloves, socks, sheets, towels, and washcloths.