Lacing up shoes and slipping on sweatshirts, thousands of UCC members are among the estimated 2 million nationwide taking part in this fall’s CROP Hunger Walk 

Beginning on Sundays in late September and running through mid-October, the walks of varying lengths are organized at harvest time to symbolize the push to end world hunger.

"I love the CROP Walk because it does so many things," says the Rev. Patti Kenney of St. Paul UCC in Saline, Mich.. "It brings people together. It gives us a way to meet practical needs. It helps us focus on our community.” The 10th annual Saline CROP Walk, to be held Oct. 10, is one of myriad nationwide events sponsored by Church World Service (CWS) and organized by local congregations.

Some 2 million CROP ("Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty") Hunger walkers, volunteers and sponsors raise more than $16 million annually to help end hunger and poverty. Kenney is making her second CROP walk, a 3-mile loop through downtown Saline. Joining her this year is Ruby, her therapy dog in training.

"I pray for our community silently while I'm walking,” says Kenney. “I pray for the day when we won't need the CROP Walk anymore because everyone will have enough to eat."

Many communities across the country, including members of Avon Lake (Ohio) UCC, walked on Sept. 26.

“We had 47 walkers this year and so far have raised $4,150,” says Avon/Avon Lake walk organizer Laurie Henrichsen, adding that a few pledges remain to be collected. The group featured a strong youth presence, including all 19 confirmands from Avon Lake UCC  and members of the Avon Lake High School Key Club.

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church were represented, as was Community Resource Services, a local food bank that will receive 25 percent of the funds raised by the group.

“Despite the economy, it was great to see that people did whatever it took to show support with donations and walking,” says Henrichsen.

In Penntown, Ind., the Rev. Juanita “Tommy” Wallpe of St. John’s UCC will be among 150-200 anticipated walkers Oct. 3.

“The walk started after World War II as a way for Americans to give seeds and tools to Europe to get agricultural help started,” says Wallpe, adding that 19 Ripley County churches comprising ecumenical diversity are signed up.

Since the event began in 1987, more than $300,000 has been collected in Penntown. “Twenty-five percent of what we raise goes to local food pantries, and the rest goes to help those who are hungry around the world,” says Wallpe. “We have so much compared to the rest of the world.”

Church World Service is an ecumenical, cooperative ministry comprising 35 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations. It provides sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief and refugee assistance in 80 countries. Ninety percent of CWS presence is in the United States.

For more information, visit the CWS web site at www.churchworldservice.org