Oct. 21 CROP Hunger Walk expected to exceed goal of $50,000

Online Staff Report

The Sixth Annual CROP Hunger Walk, which was Oct. 21 at Riverfront Museum Park, has raised $47,000 to date, according to organizers.

Walkers raised $34,000 and $7,000 was raised with a new system that allowed people to pledge for a walker online. An additional $6,000 was donated by “angels” who pledged to match walkers who raised more than $250.

“We will exceed our goal of $50,000,” said CROP Walk Chairman Dave Jones, “the most we’ve ever made. A combination of beautiful weather, energetic volunteers, and a slight uptick in the local economy may be the reason we did so well.”

More than 35 churches, religious organizations, two schools, civic organizations and businesses supported more than 200 walkers.

Last year, the walk raised $47,000.

The money is shared with local food pantries and worldwide hunger relief through Church World Service, the largest and best equipped. People are welcome to designate other overseas relief organizations as well.

Chairman of the CROP Hunger Walk is the Rev. David Jones from First Presbyterian Church, who’s led the walk successfully for the last five years. Jones is a retired Presbyterian clergyman, is chairman of the committee and recruits churches, schools and other organizations to participate in the walk.

For more information, call Jones at (815) 540-3703 or e-mail davidj6226@aol.com.

Posted Oct. 22, 2012