CROP Walk Prepares to Fight Hunger

Barry Lewis said this year’s CROP walk is attracting some new participants — and that’s the goal of this yearly anti-hunger event.

“We are trying to increase numbers this year,” Lewis said.

Known as the “Five Boro” CROP Walk, the community-wide event sponsored by Church World Service helps to raise funds that will be used to end hunger here and around the world. More than 100 people from 10 congregations, including a new church in Rochester, Beaver County, are expected to participate in this year’s event on Oct. 23.

A rally will take place at 7 p.m. today for coordinators and walkers at . Participants will meet in the church sanctuary to watch a video about the work CROP provides worldwide.

CROP began in 1946 as an arm of the Church World Service known as the Christian World Outreach Program, Lewis said. The interfaith program now stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty and includes various denominations, he said.

“They don’t care what pipeline it comes through, as long as it gets there,” Lewis said.

Some walk as individuals while others walk as part of a team, but every walker is encouraged to raise at least $100. Contributions may be made online.

“Our goal is $10,000,” Lewis said. “We came close a few years ago with $7,000.”

Lewis said Erie has been the most successful fundraising community, reaching $75,000 in donations every year to help fight hunger.

“I would like to rival them someday,” he said.

A portion of the donations raised stays in the community to be divided between four local . Funds are also used to help poverty-stricken people elsewhere, such as providing a village with clean drinking water. CROP is also active in Somalia refugee camps.

The actual walk takes place Oct. 23. Participants will gather at 1:30 p.m. at on Beaver Road before the walk commences at 2 p.m.

The route involves walking Beaver Road to Ambridge and ending at the Center For Hope on Maplewood Avenue, about 5.5 miles. The local 10K walk equals out to about 5.5 miles. Lewis assures the walk will not interfere with the game that day.

“The Steelers play at 4:30, and our walk will be over,” Lewis said.

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For more information contact Barry L. Lewis, Five Boro CROP Walk Coordinator, at 412-259-8601, visit www.cropwalkonline.org or click here.