Sunday, October 11, neighbors, friends and family members from all walks of life will come together, put down their differences and take a visible stand against hunger in our world. The Roanoke CROP Walk is a 4.5-mile walk through town to raise money to fight hunger. Persons who participate ask sponsors ahead of time to donate money for the person taking the walk.
“This event is the one time in the year when churches and service clubs of the Roanoke Valley can band together in a walk for hunger. The walk is a visible reminder in our community that in this day and time families are having to go without food and that we can do something about it,” said Rev. Dr. Ken Lane of Roanoke’s Trinity Lutheran Church.
Local recipient agencies include the Presbyterian Community Center, St. Francis House, Refugee Immigration Services, Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM and RAM House), St. Mark’s Lutheran Food Pantry, Salem/Roanoke County Food Pantry and Trust House. The Roanoke Valley Crop Hunger Walk is affiliated with Church World Service/CROP; visit www.churchworldservice.org for more information.
Twenty-five percent of the money raised goes to help local agencies that are fighting hunger. The rest of the money goes to countries overseas suffering marked poverty and malnutrition. The funds not only feed hungry people, but also supply them with training and supplies to enable them to feed themselves.
“It really is the whole community coming together to fight hunger. It is a unique response to needs of poor and hungry people in our communities and around the world. In many countries where there is poverty, villages have to walk on the average of six miles to get to the nearest food market and well supply,” Rev. Lane said.
