As many Americans face financial hardships and the holiday season approaches, there are those that still find the time - and funds - to do what they can to help others.
The Citizen file photo
C.R.O.P. Walk participants gather in Skaneateles last year.
C.R.O.P. Walk participants gather in Skaneateles last year.
This Sunday, several Cayuga County communities will host C.R.O.P. Walks, which help raise funds to fight poverty and hunger around the world. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the fundraiser walks, which started in 1969 in Bismark, N.D.
The walks are part of Church World Service, an interfaith group dedicated to eradicating hunger and injustice around the world.
Douglas J. Anderson, regional director for the central New York arm of the organization, said that Church World Services and the C.R.O.P. (Christian Rural Overseas Program) go back the years following World War II.
While Europe was in tatters, church groups of different denominations banded together to help gather food, such as excess grain, that could be sent to Europe to help the hungry and those that found themselves with no homes and crops after the war. This has since blossomed into an international effort that strives to reach those suffering in Third World countries, as well as here at home.
“There about one billion people in the world who live for less than a dollar a day,” Anderson said. “There are three billion who live on less than two dollars a day. And right here at home in central New York, people are facing difficult times. All of this is what we are here to help with.”
By 1969 the meaning had changed, but the name stayed the same - C.R.O.P. has come to stand for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The idea of doing a walk was meant to demonstrate more than just a way to raise funds.
“We always say we walk because they have to,” Anderson said. “There are people who have to walk everyday - miles just to get a few buckets of clean water or wood for a fire to cook food, or even just to get a little bit of food. Our walking is really a symbol of what they have to do.”
By 1977 this effort had reached central New York.
“This will mark 32 years of service in central New York,” said Anderson, who came to work in Syracuse in the same years. “I can't thank the volunteers and people who work so hard and do so much to raise awareness about hunger and to make these walks possible. They are doing something truly extraordinary.”
In the central New York region, Anderson said, between 3,000 and 3,500 people take part in the walks every year. They have helped raise more than $3 million in the past three decades, 25 percent of which stays here to help local efforts like food pantries.
“That is about $925,000,” Anderson said. “That money has all stayed here to help fight hunger, and what we do is not based on creed, but simply to help people that are facing hunger.”
Anderson said that in Cayuga County, walks have been going strong for more than 20 years - and the time of year is no coincidence.
“Oct. 16 is World Food Day,” Anderson said. “What better time to bring attention to hunger around the world.”
People can help support these walks in more ways than just putting their sneakers on. Anderson said people can walk and solicit pledges for every mile they walk, they can support a walk with pledges or, now, people can even pledge online through www.crfopwalkonline.com.
“There is a lot we can do,” Anderson said. “Hunger is a societal issue that affects everyone and this is something that everyone can take part in and help.”
Local C.R.O.P. Walks on Sunday, Oct. 18
• Auburn - 1 p.m. at Cayuga Community College, Franklin Street, Auburn. Call 253-0319.
• Aurora - 1:30 p.m. at United Ministry Church, Main Street, Auburn. Call 364-5836.
• Jordan-Elbridge - 1:30 p.m. at Elbridge Community Church, East Main Street, Elbridge. Call 689-9357.
• Moravia - 12:30 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, Church Street, Moravia. Call 497-9527.
• Skaneateles - 12:30 p.m. at Community Center, State Street, Skaneateles. Call 685-3512.
• For more information about C.R.O.P. Walks, visit www.churchworldservice.com or www.cropwalkonline.com.
The walks are part of Church World Service, an interfaith group dedicated to eradicating hunger and injustice around the world.
Douglas J. Anderson, regional director for the central New York arm of the organization, said that Church World Services and the C.R.O.P. (Christian Rural Overseas Program) go back the years following World War II.
While Europe was in tatters, church groups of different denominations banded together to help gather food, such as excess grain, that could be sent to Europe to help the hungry and those that found themselves with no homes and crops after the war. This has since blossomed into an international effort that strives to reach those suffering in Third World countries, as well as here at home.
“There about one billion people in the world who live for less than a dollar a day,” Anderson said. “There are three billion who live on less than two dollars a day. And right here at home in central New York, people are facing difficult times. All of this is what we are here to help with.”
By 1969 the meaning had changed, but the name stayed the same - C.R.O.P. has come to stand for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The idea of doing a walk was meant to demonstrate more than just a way to raise funds.
“We always say we walk because they have to,” Anderson said. “There are people who have to walk everyday - miles just to get a few buckets of clean water or wood for a fire to cook food, or even just to get a little bit of food. Our walking is really a symbol of what they have to do.”
By 1977 this effort had reached central New York.
“This will mark 32 years of service in central New York,” said Anderson, who came to work in Syracuse in the same years. “I can't thank the volunteers and people who work so hard and do so much to raise awareness about hunger and to make these walks possible. They are doing something truly extraordinary.”
In the central New York region, Anderson said, between 3,000 and 3,500 people take part in the walks every year. They have helped raise more than $3 million in the past three decades, 25 percent of which stays here to help local efforts like food pantries.
“That is about $925,000,” Anderson said. “That money has all stayed here to help fight hunger, and what we do is not based on creed, but simply to help people that are facing hunger.”
Anderson said that in Cayuga County, walks have been going strong for more than 20 years - and the time of year is no coincidence.
“Oct. 16 is World Food Day,” Anderson said. “What better time to bring attention to hunger around the world.”
People can help support these walks in more ways than just putting their sneakers on. Anderson said people can walk and solicit pledges for every mile they walk, they can support a walk with pledges or, now, people can even pledge online through www.crfopwalkonline.com.
“There is a lot we can do,” Anderson said. “Hunger is a societal issue that affects everyone and this is something that everyone can take part in and help.”
Local C.R.O.P. Walks on Sunday, Oct. 18
• Auburn - 1 p.m. at Cayuga Community College, Franklin Street, Auburn. Call 253-0319.
• Aurora - 1:30 p.m. at United Ministry Church, Main Street, Auburn. Call 364-5836.
• Jordan-Elbridge - 1:30 p.m. at Elbridge Community Church, East Main Street, Elbridge. Call 689-9357.
• Moravia - 12:30 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, Church Street, Moravia. Call 497-9527.
• Skaneateles - 12:30 p.m. at Community Center, State Street, Skaneateles. Call 685-3512.
• For more information about C.R.O.P. Walks, visit www.churchworldservice.com or www.cropwalkonline.com.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.