It’s almost time for the 36th annual Austin CROP Hunger Walk!
On Sunday, March 23, hundreds of people who care about hunger locally and globally will take to the paths of Camp Mabry on 35th street, “Ending Hunger One Step at a Time.” Registration begins at 1:45; the Walk begins at 2:30.
The CROP Hunger Walk is a community based fund-raising event sponsored nationally by Church World Service. CWS is a faith-based, global humanitarian organization consisting of 37 faith traditions whose primary purpose is to work together to eradicate hunger and poverty and promote peace and justice in the world. Take some time to read personal stories and view videos of lives changed because of CROP Hunger Walks at www.cwsglobal.org
CROP Hunger Walkers raise funds to fight hunger both here in Austin and around our world. Twenty-five percent of all funds raised remain local and go to the Capital Area Food Bank, Micah 6, Sustainable Food Center’s Grow Local, and iACT’s Refugee Program. The rest of the funds raised help fight global hunger in places like Kenya, Vietnam, Guatemala, Nicaragua, the Philippines and many more.
This year’s Walk will feature a ScavHunger Hunt, Interactive Drumming, stickers, prizes, music, snacks, and opportunities to learn more about local hunger. The Austin CROP Hunger Walk is a family fun activity. The Walk is open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths. It is a great way to take a stand against hunger in our world and make a powerful statement about our common humanity.
Last year’s CROP Hunger Walk raised just over $96,000. Our goal this year is to top $100,000! We can do it! It is easy to donate to the Walk with our online giving page. Go to www.crophungerwalk.org/austintx and donate now. Even if you cannot participate in the Walk on Walk Day, you can still participate in making a difference in the lives of people who are in need in Austin and around our world.
If your group or congregation is interested in participating and is not already signed up, contact Desaree McKinney at 512-386-9145, Ext. 308. She can get your congregation signed up today!
Not only does Austin have an annual CROP Hunger Walk, but so do many communities around central Texas. Walks occur annually in San Marcos, Georgetown, Lockhart, New Braunfels, and Canyon Lake, as well as 23 others in various communities in Texas.
CWS provides many opportunities for congregations to be involved in the transformative work we do around the world. CWS is actively engaged in community development and creating sustainable solutions to communities for food security in several countries. As part of the life changing community development work of CWS, congregations can also raise funds by promoting a Tools Program event or Alternative Giving Program.
CWS also provides opportunities for congregations to prepare school kits, hygiene kits, emergency buckets, and baby kits to communities struck by disaster. In fact, when nearly 300 school children were among those who lost everything in south Austin in October of 2013, CWS sent 300 school kits to Mendez Middle School. Groups and congregations can also partner with CWS to raise funds to provide blankets to people in areas struck by disaster with our Blanket Program.
I serve as your CWS regional field staff, based in Austin. Contact me to speak to your group or congregation (large or small) or to receive information about how to partner with CWS in addition to the CROP Hunger Walk: 512-451-2062, slassalle@cwsglobal.org
written by Rev. Susan Lassalle, Regional Field Staff of Church World Service, Texas and Louisiana
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