By John R. Schirmer
Leader staff
Later this month, a Nashville native and a friend will begin a 200-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail to raise money for an organization which feeds starving children worldwide.
Clay Williams, who now teaches at Des Arc, will travel by bus from Memphis to Atlanta May 25. From there, he and the friend will shuttle to the point where they will begin their hike.
“We’re trying to get people to donate one meal per mile that we hike,” Williams said. “We’re working with an organization called Feed My Starving Children. It costs 22 cents per meal to feed a child.”
The idea began at a restaurant which donates one meal to the charitable group for every meal it serves in house.
“I love to hike. We wanted to do something to raise a few meals, and it’s grown since then. So far, we’ve had amazing support,” Williams said.
Des Arc students have gotten in on the project, according to Williams. “They had class competitions and raised $751. That’s about 3,400 meals. THe school has been very supportive. They’ve had so much fun doing it.”
The hike is “a simple idea, but so much goes into it,” Williams said.
Plans call for the hike to last about 15 days, along with rest days built in. Total time will be around 18 days, he said. “We’ll be through in mid-June.
Williams teaches eighth and ninth grade English at Des Arc, along with 11th grade Advanced Placement English. His friend teaches middle school special education and coaches high school track at Rogers.
At Des Arc, Williams discussed the hike with his superintendent before discussing it with his students. “He liked the idea,” Williams said of the superintendent. “Everyone has been really helpful. The kids are so excited. It’s amazing.”
Williams has information about the hike on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
E-mail may be sent to hikingagainsthunger@gmail.com
More information is available at rallyup.com, Williams said. Follow the link to Hiking Against Hunger and find more details about the hike.
Money can also be pledged there. “It’s similar to GoFundMe,” Williams said.
