The CROP (Christian Rural Overseas Program) Hunger Walk is a fundraising event sponsored by Church World Service (CWS). This is the 54th anniversary of the CROP Hunger walk. Spencerport Ecumenical Ministries (SEM) churches have held a walk for almost as many years. SEM is made up of seven area churches: Spencerport Wesleyan Church, Ogden Presbyterian Church, Spencerport United Methodist Church, St. John the Evangelist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Adams Basin Church, and Ogden Baptist Church.
The Spencerport walk is along the Erie Canal on the first Sunday in May. This year, it will be held May 4 beginning at 1 p.m. Those unable to walk at that time are welcome to walk anytime. Organizers only ask that you collect donations from friends and family to support your walk and get those donations to the Crop Walk team for submission to CWS.
The group will be walking in support of the CWS mission to help stop hunger around the world, as well as supporting the Spencerport Ecumenical Food Shelf (SEFS). A quarter of the money raised through the Crop Walk is returned to the local food shelf. This walk is the one and only monetary fundraiser for the SEFS, which is seeing an increase in need, as are many food shelves and services such as CWS. Participants will help their neighbors and those around the world with food insecurities and other daily needs.
The walk begins at the Spencerport United Methodist Church, 32 Amity Street, Spencerport. The group will walk across the Union Street canal bridge and along the canal towpath to Adams Basin, and back. The churches will provide refreshments along the way. This is about a six-mile walk. The Golden Mile is also available for those not able to make the full six miles. It also begins at the Methodist Church and goes a half mile along the canal, and back to the church. Those not able to walk can still support this fundraiser with a monetary donation at www.crophungerwalk.org/spencerportny.
The Crop Walk slogan states: “We Walk Because They Walk.” This phrase was coined because of places where people still need to walk for miles to get food and clean drinking water. Here is one such story: Lesly Miguel lives in rural Honduras. She and her parents participate in a CWS program where they learn how to diversify and grow their crops. Prior to the program, their crops were limited to rice, beans and some coffee beans. Now, they grow a variety of vegetables, fruit trees and other grains. They have also learned how to raise chickens and rabbits, and start a tilapia pond to incorporate protein into their family’s diet.
Support Spencerport CROP walkers by either joining a team or making a donation at www.crophungerwalk.org/spencerportny. Donations can be made through the month of May.
For more information about the walk, email L112734@hotmail.com.
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