Hunger event makes strides; CROP Walkers raise funds to combat poverty

from Newszap Delaware

By Ali Cheeseman, Delaware State News

DOVER — For the second year in a row, CROP Walkers strolled through the city of Dover on Sunday in an effort to thwart hunger.

The CROP Hunger Walks, Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, are community fundraising events sponsored by Church World Service, an international relief agency.

“I think this is something we want to do every year,” said event organizer George Dunning with Wesley United Methodist Church. “There is a lot of enthusiasm within our group about this event.”

The Dover CROP Hunger Walk was about a three-mile walk, which started at 1:30 p.m. by the Tatnall Building in the Legislative Mall area, through Silver Lake Park, along the St. Jones River and back to the mall.

About 15 churches were involved with the walk this year, Mr. Dunning said, which is an increase from the 11 participating churches last year.

“It’s a little growth,” he said. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

Jerry Emerson of Dover and Les Gallihue of Magnolia participated in the event and brought their dogs Maggie and Ebony out to get a little exercise.

“I’ve done CROP walks for 30 years wherever I’ve lived,” Mr. Gallihue said, who moved to Dover five years ago after moving about the country as a pastor.

“I liked the idea of doing something with physical movement, but still supporting the organization,” he said.

Mr. Emerson said that both him and his dog needed the exercise, but there was more to the event than just fresh air.

“As Christians, we need to be aware of those less fortunate than ourselves,” he said.

The CROP walks work like any other fundraising walk event, Mr. Dunning said, where people register to walk and raise money through sponsor donations, with the proceeds benefiting people on both a local and worldwide scale.

About 75 percent of the funds will go to Church World Service to provide food, medical care, disaster relief and self-help development for needy people throughout the world.

The remaining 25 percent will be split between three hunger-alleviating agencies in Kent County, Mr. Dunning said, with half going to benefit Kent Ecumenical Food and Crisis Fund and the rest divided between Whatcoat Methodist and Calvary Baptist soup kitchens.

“A quarter of it stays here in town,” he said. “That’s what we like about it.”

Last year about $7,000 were raised through the event with about 80 participating walkers, Mr. Dunning said. This year he estimates between 120 and 150 people walked.

“This is a project of Church World Service,” said the Rev. Dr. Ted Farrar, regional director for the mid-Atlantic Church World Service office.

“What I like about it is that it is done entirely local, by local people,” he said.

Bill and Barbara Berry of Dover walked on Sunday since their church, Wesley UMC, was one of the sponsors of the event.

“And we’re here to help,” Mr. Berry said.

Staff writer Ali Cheeseman can be reached at 741-8250 or acheeseman@newszap.com