Tri-Cities CROP Walk to raise hunger awareness

Every year, the Tri-Cities CROP Hunger Walk aims to raise hunger awareness in the Tri-Cities and across the globe.

Individuals and organizations are invited each year to participate in a Crop Hunger Walk to raise funds to support local food pantries and international hunger initiatives.

This year, the group hopes to raise $20,000 through the event planned for Saturday, Oct. 15.

A kickoff for the event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25) in St. Charles.

Individuals and organizations interested in participating in this year's walk should plan on attending to learn about the new changes to this year's walk and participate in a hunger education activity. Interested parties should RSVP to TriCitiesCropWalk@gmail.com.

Each year, dedicated individuals go above and beyond to support this effort. This year, Jan Silverman, owner of Geneva Fit gym, committed to running a 500-kilometer race through the state of Tennessee to generate support for the Crop Hunger Walk. The race was especially poignant as she is mourning the recent loss of her son, Daniel. She completed 249 miles of the race before suffering an injury to her Achilles' heel. She has planned other races leading up to the Crop Hunger Walk in October to help fight hunger in the Tri-Cities.

For more information on the Crop Hunger Walk and Team Leader Kick-Off Events, visit www.crophungerwalk.org/saincharlesil.

For more information on Jan Silverman's journey, visit www.facebook.com/JanRunsforFamilies/.