CROP Walk to help fight hunger

Marquette County churches and other organizations are starting to prepare for the CROP Hunger Walk this fall.

CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.  The walk takes place on October 6, and aims to increase awareness of hunger and raise funds to help those in need.

The CROP Hunger Walk aids people around the world and also residents in Marquette County.

“(The CROP Hunger Walk) is a whole effort of raising funds for feeding of hungry people locally and worldwide,” Pastor Steve Solberg from Negaunee’s Immanuel Lutheran Church said.  “In fact, 25% of funds raised during this walk will be used locally here to supply the food banks or the food pantries of Salvation Army and St. Vinny’s across our county.”

This is the fourth year for the CROP Hunger Walk, and it takes place on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail between Ishpeming and Negaunee.

Last year there were 200 walkers from different groups that raised over $10,000.  The goal this year is to raise $13,000.

“Any of us can feel as if we can’t do anything, but put us together and wow, it’s an amazing thing that can happen,” Solberg said.

“God works in this wonderful way of not only raising funds in this case for the hungry, but also to raising our awareness.  Think of it, one in six of our neighbors are struggling with food in some way in terms of looking for that next meal.”

For more information on the CROP Hunger Walk, including how to get involved and other walks in the Upper Peninsula, visit their website.  Marquette County’s walk information can be found here.