For the 31st year, walkers in Ortonville will help fight hunger both abroad and at home.
This year’s annual CROP Walk is scheduled for Oct. 2. CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk is a historic walk and one that is celebrated across the nation as communities band together to make a difference in world hunger. This year, Ortonville’s walk is 3.5 miles and will take place beginning at the Ortonville United Methodist Church, 93 N. Church St., with a special send-off from members of the area Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The CROP Walk began in 1947 in the aftermath of World War II and was originally meant to benefit war-torn Europe through the donations of crops from many Midwestern families. It grew to eventually become the first official CROP Walk in 1969, which raised $25,000 for world hunger. Since then, more than 2,000 communities in the United States have participated.
Debra Haney, co-chair coordinator of the event, said last year’s walk raised around $7,500, with 25 percent kept in the area and donated to the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund.
The remainder of the funds go to Church World Service.
‘It goes around the world,? said Haney. ‘It just helps. If a village needs water, they’ll go in and put in a water line.?
As well as the walk, there will be a fundraiser for CROP Walk at Bullfrogs, 2225 Ortonville Road, from 4-8 p.m., Sept. 20 and CROP will receive proceeds from 20 percent of the food bill.
‘We need as many people as we can,? said Haney. ‘It benefits us and everyone else. I hope it goes off well.?
CROP Walk registration is at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 2 at the Ortonville United Methodist Church, 93 North Church St. and the walk will begin at 2 p.m. For details, contact Debra Haney at 248-821-3532.