Hunger walk in Lombard helps people at home and around world

One of the reasons Dan Jares stays involved with the annual Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk is that the event allows him to help people he doesn't even know.

"There's something unique and powerful about that," said Jares, who served as the coordinator for this year's walk. "There are other walks that people do because they personally know someone who will benefit, and that's wonderful, but I also like the notion of doing something for people in your community and beyond even though you may never meet them."

The Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk, now in its 31st year, stepped off Sunday afternoon in Lombard Commons. Somewhere between 150 and 200 people participated, organizers said. Early tabulation of online donations reported that the event raised more than $4,000 by Sunday morning.

Funds raised by the event, which is organized by a number of churches in the Lombard/Villa Park/Addison areas, are used to fight hunger and other problems both locally and on a global scale. One-quarter of the donations benefits agencies in Lombard, Villa Park and Addison, including local food pantries and PADS homeless shelters.

The remaining proceeds go to Church World Service, an organization that provides assistance to people in need all around the world. Local churches are instrumental in organizing the walk.

Participants walked 1, 5 or 8 kilometers along the Prairie Path. John and Carrie Lavorini of Villa Park (and their two dogs) were among the participants.

"This might be our 20th time doing this," Carrie Lavorini said. "It's a great way to give back."

This year's walk had some special meaning for the couple because they got involved in the event through their church, Grace Evangelical Lutheran in Villa Park, which is closing its doors after 88 years of service to the community.

"Our church always got behind this event and encouraged us to go out and help the people in our communities," Carrie Lavorini said.