Gore for Good: Zombies Spread Charity

This week on our radio show, Media Matters is talking about how Ball State feeds Muncie and vice versa.

This Saturday, there will be no greater example of people feeding off each other than during the Muncie Zombie Walk. Not only does the event literally feed the community — with food donations benefitting the Second Harvest Food Bank and Animal Rescue Fund — it also spreads an infectious energy and sense of fun throughout the campus and surrounding area.


But why use horror for this humane event? One of the zombie walk's head organizers Robert Abner points to the strong sense of community the horror genre creates — a great reminder of how media does, in fact, matter.

"People come together for horror. Just look at horror conventions. You don't see action or comedy conventions," Abner said. "This genre sparks a connection between people unlike any other."

As the Grace Village campus minister, Abner is often questioned for his love of these violent films.

"These movies aren't just about bloody zombies," Abner said. "They're ultimately about people banding together for a common goal and what it takes to survive."

That's precisely what the zombie walk is about as well. Muncie is not the only city that hosts a zombie walk, but no other city does it quite like Muncie.

"Muncie is Muncie, you know? It has character," Abner said. He and I went on to joke about how Muncie is perfect for a zombie walk, as it has the quaint charm of a town from a George Romero zombie film.

To Abner, the zombie walk opens people up to this town, especially students.

"When I was a student here, it's like I didn't know there was anything beyond McGalliard. The zombie walk helps bridge that gap between Ball State and Muncie."

Last year's walk had 350 zombies and helped raise over a thousand pounds of food and money, respectively, for charity. This year's walk will take place Saturday at 3, starting at the Quad. Participants should bring a few non-perishable food items or pet food.

Tune in to 91.3 WCRD from 11-noon for more on events like this and the beneficial relationship between Ball State and Muncie.