Staff writer
Many poor people in developing nations have to walk six miles daily to get food, water, and fuel, Marion County CROP Walk chairman Donna Kreutziger said. CROP Walk supporters walk to show solidarity with those people, she said.
CROP began as an acronym for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, but over time its meaning has faded, Kreutziger said.
“There is hunger everywhere, and Marion County is no exception,” she said. “Maybe by taking one step at a time, we can reduce hunger.”
CROP Walk raises money to support development efforts by Church World Service in more than 80 countries. Funds are raised by walkers collecting pledges, Kreutziger said. Not all of the money goes overseas, though; one-fourth of the funds raised locally will support Marion County Emergency Food Bank.
In the early years of the local CROP Walk, groups from Marion, Hillsboro, Aulne United Methodist Church, and rural churches would meet at the intersection of 190th and Nighthawk roads. The groups would then walk back to their home churches, Kreutziger said. About 50 people have walked in the fundraiser each of the past two years, she said.
Now the event is at Marion County Park and Lake. CROP Walk 2010 will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 starting west of the lake office. A devotional will precede the walk.
For more information, contact Kreutziger at (620) 382-2931 or Canada@southwind.net, or contact Darlene Bartel at (620) 947-3009.