Committee plans 29th annual Barrington Area CROP Walk

Representatives of area churches, schools, businesses and civic organizations are preparing for the 29th annual Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk, an annual community hunger education and fundraising event sponsored by Church World Service.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, the Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk will be held to show love and active concern for neighbors in need near and far. The participants, ranging from newborns to nonagenarians, will be raising awareness and funds to change the world in real and measurable ways — digging wells that will bring clean water to villages; providing seeds and tools so that people can grow their own food; helping communities and families rebuild after disaster. Whether it’s responding to flood and tornado damage in parts of the U.S., or helping to rebuild earthquake-damaged homes in Haiti, CROP Hunger Walks are making a difference.

It is important to note that 25 percent of all funds raised in Barrington (over $13,000 in 2010) is kept in the area for the Northern Illinois Food Bank, FISH Food Pantry-Carpentersville, Barrington Meals With Wheels, Wauconda-Island Lake Food Pantry, Project HOPE, the People in Need program of the Barrington Area Ministerial Association, and Barrington Giving Day. Betty Reed, area CROP treasurer and longtime supporter of the Walk comments, “The need in our area food pantries is great and the funds from the CROP Walk are received with great joy and appreciation! CROP is an acronym for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. Each individual’s participation — either by walking or sponsoring a walker — helps stop hunger and poverty here in the Barrington area.”

The committee members are determined to improve upon last year’s performance of 419 walkers and slightly over $54,000. This year’s goal is $60,000, an 11 percent increase in 2011.

The WALK takes place on Sunday, Oct. 16, throughout the village of Barrington, beginning at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 N. Ela St., with registration at 12:30 p.m. The walk begins at 1 p.m.

To learn more, contact one of the event co-chairpersons, Christine Melone or Pam Jensen, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, (847) 381-0596 or eschoon@st-markschurch.org.

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