By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ten-year-old Emma Wasinger wanted to help people in her community, so she has organized a Walk for Hunger to gather food items for the St. Joseph Food Pantry.
Emma, who will be a fifth-grader at Holy Family Elementary School, said her former priest, Father Fred, encouraged her to help the community through fundraising. She decided she would try to do a fundraiser every year.
Last year, she had a food stand, but could not do that again this year because of COVID-19.
"I decided to do something for the hungry," Emma said.
"I knew we couldn't do anything with food, but I knew I wanted t0 do something with getting food to people," she said. "I decided to do a walk because I know a lot of people are stuck inside during corona. I thought being able to do a walk and collect food would be fun."
The walkers will begin to gather at St. Joseph Church in downtown Hays starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Emma said she hopes the last group of walkers will leave the church at about 9 a.m. The walk should be over by 11 a.m. No advance registration for the event is necessary.
Social distancing is encouraged. The walk will take participants through downtown Hays and back to the church on about a 1.5-mile route.
Walkers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the food pantry. This can include non-perishable snacks for children, canned tuna, canned salmon or other non-perishable items. Monetary donation will also be taken.
"I think it is important because some people aren't as gifted with everything as some of us, so I feel sorry for all of those who don't get everything they are supposed to," Emma said.
Emma has donated to the food bank before, encouraged by her second-grade religion teacher, who now runs the food pantry, Renee Michaud.
If you don't want to walk, donations will be accepted at the food bank between 7:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday.
Items area also being collected through today at the following businesses: Diamond R. Jewelry, Couture for Men. Paisley Pear, Regeena's Flowers, Simply Charmed, The Bluetique, Breathe Coffee House, Salon Ten-O-Seven, Furniture Look, Tri-Central Office and Refine.
Emma designed poster for the Walk for Hunger and helped distribute them throughout the community.
When Emma is not fundraising, she is a gymnast. Her favorite events are the beam and floor.
She also loves to play softball. Emma also volunteers with an animal rescue group.
For more information on the Walk for Hunger, call 785-735-4595.