The Inaugural Paper Mile
Working Together so Every Neighbor has a Safe Place and Warm Meal
Access to safe, warm shelter and nutritious food are essential for every neighbor. We know this. It’s the first thing our children learn in their STEM classes. Still, right here in Wake County, there are 1,258 people who will be unhoused tonight, and more than 33,500 children who must wonder where their next meal will come from.
If we are really going to be neighbors to and for one another, we must address the issues of hunger and homelessness with an awareness that builds a sense of empathy, and action/advocacy that brings about real change.
To that end, we invite you to consider joining us in a new initiative: The Inaugural Paper Mile. It’s more than just a paper chain. It’s more than just a series of prayers. It’s more than just a fundraiser. It’s holding ourselves accountable to the image of neighbor we claim to be.
What is the Paper Mile?
What is the Paper Mile?
We want to create a literal mile of awareness for homelessness and hunger in Wake County. In February, we set a goal of constructing a paper chain of 1,258 links (representing our 1,258 unhoused neighbors in Wake County). Each length, when stapled into a loop is approximately 5.5 inches long and includes a 27-word prayer, encouraging thought, or good vibe.
1,258 links x 27 words per link = 33,500 words
(representing the 33,500 children in Wake County experiencing food insecurity).
Update: As of April 19, we are on track to nearly triple our initial goal of 1,258 links. We've already reached 2,700 prayers with several hundred more expected in the coming week. Therefore, we adjusted our goal. We hope to display two chains: the HOUSING CHAIN (1,258 links representing our 1,258 unhoused neighbors in Wake County), and the SUSTAINABILITY CHAIN (2,093 links. Each paper link is 16 inches long when unfurled. 2,093 links x 16 inches = 33,500 inches, representing the 33,500 food insecure children in Wake County). We anticipate the connected chain to exceed 1/3 mile in length.
How Does It Work?
How Does It Work?
Beginning February 18 (Ash Wednesday), we encourage individuals, households, small groups, whole congregations, or any gathered body, to write their short prayers on paper links, and create paper chains in groups of 25, 50, or 100 links. We will collect these chains through Sunday, April 26. To date (April 19), we have collected more than 2,700 prayers, and we hope to display more than 3,000 total prayers.
On Sunday, May 3 at 12:30 pm, Millbrook Baptist Church will hold a public event to reveal/display the completed chain. The chain will begin from a central point on the MBC campus, and held by people, will extend out of the driveway of MBC, and fan out along the sidewalks of East Millbrook Rd.
Unveiling Our Paper Mile
Unveiling Our Paper Mile
On Sunday, May 3, Millbrook Baptist Church, along with our many partners, will assemble and display our completed Paper Mile prayer chain. What a symbol of solidarity with and affection for neighbors in Wake County! Our 11:00 am worship service will include a procession and blessing of the chain, as well as justice-centered texts and prayers. Following worship, at 12:30 pm, we will gather at the outside front entrance of the Millbrook Baptist Church Sanctuary (1519 E. Millbrook Rd.) with neighbors throughout our city to formally display the completed prayer chain.
Based on prayers received to date, we anticipate a paper chain extending more than 3,000 links! Our plan is to display two separate portions of the chain along the sidewalks of East Millbrook Road (between Old Wake Forest and Falls of Neuse Roads), each one seeking to raise awareness for homelessness and food insecurity. Our Housing Chain, 1,258 links long (representing our 1,258 unhoused neighbors in Wake County), will extend from Millbrook United Methodist Church (adjacent to Second Street Place) toward Millbrook Elementary School. Our Sustainability Chain, 2,093 links long, will extend from the Millbrook Baptist Church Sanctuary entrance, along the parking lot, and out toward the opposite sidewalks. The 2,093 links, each roughly 16-inches long, comprise a total of 33,500 inches (representative of the 33,500 food insecure children in Wake County).
We are excited to welcome Stephen Gruver, Homeless and Prevention Services Division Director of Wake County, who will update us on the work of Second Street Place. We will also hear updates from Douglas and Millbrook Elementary Schools about the impact of Angel Fund donations for students and families.
After these updates, and a final prayer of blessing, the collected gathering will unfurl the paper chains along the two sidewalks of East Millbrook Road. Once the Paper Mile is in position, we will take a drone photo from overhead, as well as a selfie-style walking video of both portions of the chain.
After Sunday’s event, Millbrook Baptist Church will create collateral materials that feature images of the chain, and provide a final count of prayer links, as well as total funds raised for Second Street Place and the Angel Fund. Participants are encouraged to take home segments of the prayer chain as a keepsake.
Rain Plan: In case of inclement weather, there is a contingency plan to unfurl the paper chain indoors throughout the hallways of Millbrook Baptist Church.
Is This a Fundraiser?
Is This a Fundraiser?
Yes, there is a fundraising component. We are supporting two vital initiatives in Wake County: The Angel Fund of Wake County Public Schools, and The Bryant Center. The Angel Fund exists to support school children who are unable to purchase school meals. The Bryant Center is the newest White Flag Emergency Shelter in Wake County, and provides safety, dignity, and support for people experiencing homelessness in Wake County. We believe these are two direct ways to profoundly address the acute needs of neighbors in our own backyard.
Donations can be made via check, cash, or online to Millbrook Baptist Church and notated "The Paper Mile." You can also Text "MILLBROOK" to 73256 to give using your mobile device. Proceeds will be divided equally between the two organizations. Donations can also be made directly to each organization via their websites.
A few figures to consider: $12.58, a penny for every neighbor experiencing homelessness, or $16.67, representing the 1 in 6 children in Wake County (16.67%) experiencing food insecurity. Perhaps you might consider a penny for every link added to the completed chain. As of March 18, that would be $13.57 (1,357 links), but we hope the number will extend to $85.00 (8,500 links equals a literal mile of prayer). Or if you are feeling very generous, $335, a penny for all 33,500 food insecure children in Wake County. Please know that ANY donation of ANY amount is appreciated.
The Data
The Data
A 2023 study by FeedingAmerica.org reports that there are more than 33,500 children in Wake County who experience food insecurity. This means they do not know where their next meal will come from. Statewide, the number is approaching 500,000 children.
In the Summer of 2025, the News and Observer reported that on any given night in Wake County, there are 1,258 unhoused neighbors. That’s 1,258 people who slept in cars, tents, shelters and on the streets, counted by volunteers on a cold January night. The number of unhoused neighbors jumps to nearly 1,800 if you include the whole of the Triangle region.
What Do We Hope to Accomplish?
What Do We Hope to Accomplish?
- Awareness: We want to visualize the depth and scale of homelessness and hunger in our community in a way that provokes meaningful action. We want to put both numbers and faces to these issues. We also believe that a mile-long, multi-colored paper chain, held by neighbors from all over the city, and stretching down the sidewalk of a busy thoroughfare will garner attention. And if it does, that means needed attention to two organizations making a difference.
- Accessible Community and Advocacy: Cutting paper, writing prayers, connecting chains, and just being thoughtful are activities that people of every age and ability can participate in.
- Spiritual Power: Our words, thoughts, prayers, and acts of intentionality REALLY DO matter. They matter on a relational, person-to-person level. The chain reveals the connectivity and impact of our collective expressions.
- Movement: Small contributions add up quickly. Suppose someone gives $16.67 to the Angel Fund. That donation would nearly cover a week’s worth of school lunches for a child in need. And what if that small act of kindness meant a week without worry or anxiety for a student, and instead, a space for joy, and growth, and real learning? And what if it happened 10 times, or a 100 times? For 10 kids or 1,000 kids? Our county would be all the better for it.
How Can I Participate?
How Can I Participate?
We have created packets of 25, 50, and 100 paper strips for distribution that will be available for pickup by Wednesday, February 18. Email Bob Stillerman (bob@millbrookbaptistchurch.org) to arrange for pickup at Millbrook Baptist Church (1519 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27614).
Completed prayer chains from MBC Assembly Party, 3/18/2026
If it’s easier to use your own materials, we’ve included a template. We request that you use brightly colored and thicker card stock paper to ensure a strong chain. The template works for tabloid paper (11x17). Simply cut the strips, staple the ends, and connect the strips to create a chain. The writing should be on the outside of the paper. If you need to use standard paper (8.5 x 11), that's fine, too. Just make sure to use thicker stock paper.
When we started this project, we were writing 27-word prayers to help meet our goal of 33,500 total words (representing our 33,500 food insecure children in Wake County). We have surpassed that goal, so we encourage participants to write, draw, or design a prayer of any length. The diversity of expression is appreciated. If you would like some help in considering something to write, you may feel free to use one of these prompts for guidance.
Completed prayer links can be delivered back to Millbrook Baptist Church by Sunday, April 26. Email Bob Stillerman (bob@millbrookbaptistchurch.org) to arrange delivery.
Our goal is to display the chain in public on Sunday, May 3. We will need volunteers (one per 20-30 feet of chain) to hold the chain and help us extend the chain to full length.
Help Spread the Word
Help Spread the Word.
Please invite anyone with an interest in supporting neighbors to participate. The more the merrier.
We have also created a link with assets about the project, as well as a link with assets to share on social media.
Feel free to email Bob Stillerman, Senior Minister of Millbrook Baptist Church with any questions. Kindly use "Paper Mile" in your subject line.
