CROP Walk helps needy around the world

When hundreds of walkers stride through the streets of Naperville on Sunday, it won't be simply to raise money for a cause.

The spectacle also will serve to make the public more aware of people in need of food and emergency assistance, said the Rev. Duane Mevis, director of the Naperville Area CROP Walk.

"We think our (walk) is a little different. It's about solidarity," Mevis said.

The walk's motto is "We walk because they walk," a reference to poor people in isolated areas who must walk miles for necessities such as water and food.

Marking its 25th year, the Naperville Area CROP Walk has raised about $800,000 since its inception. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.

Communities nationwide stage annual walks to raise money to fight hunger and poverty and to pay for provisions needed during disasters such as hurricanes and floods.

Twenty-five percent of money donated through the Naperville walk goes to local charities, including the Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry in Naperville and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The remaining 75 percent is allocated internationally, Mevis said.

"It's spread over 80 countries, including our own," he said. "The developing world, of course, needs it more."

Mevis said the organization tries to help struggling populations find sustainable ways to help themselves and find long-term solutions to poverty.

At a pre-walk rally set for 1 p.m. Sunday, visitors can get a clearer idea of just what money donated to CROP can do, Mevis said.

Take, for example, a display of blankets.

"Twenty-five dollars provides five nice, clean blankets that are really important after a flood or an earthquake," he said.

A couple walkers are bringing a low-cost, portable solar oven to demonstrate a viable food preparation option for low-income people, he said.

Walkers will follow three routes through residential neighborhoods and along the Naperville Riverwalk and the surrounding area. One is a single kilometer, a second is 5K and the third is 10K. All walks begin on Center Street between Benton and Franklin avenues.

The goal this year is to register 650 walkers, each contributing an average of $100 in pledges to raise a total of about $65,000, Mevis said.

Members of 25 area churches, synagogues and service organizations are expected to participate.

Mevis, pastor emeritus of Wesley United Methodist Church and a founder of the CROP Walk in Naperville, has done the walk each year. This year will be no exception.

"I'll probably do the 10K with my family -- my son, daughter-in-law and a couple of grandchildren," he said.

If you go

What: 25th annual Naperville Area CROP Walk

When: 1 p.m. Sunday rally and registration; walk begins at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Center Street between Benton and Franklin avenues

Info: (630) 428-3942 or napervillecropwalk.org