How Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk helps feed local families

Posted September 29, 2025 9:56 am

Submitted by Linda Osikowicz

All are invited to the Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, Oct. 12. This year the walk will begin at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 421 E. Main St., Barrington, with both a 1-mile and 5K route throughout the village of Barrington. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and the walk will begin at 1 p.m.

There will be activities for children, including a scavenger hunt. Families are invited to bring wagons and strollers. Not feeling up to walking that day? Register as a “spirit walker,” sharing your passion to end hunger as you ask friends to sponsor you.

It’s easy to both register as a walker and to donate by visiting crophungerwalk.org/barringtonil. Find information about upcoming restaurant fundraisers on the site, too. For information, contact 2025 committee chair Todd Sholeen at t.sholeen12@gmail.com.

Recent actions and policies are pushing more individuals and communities into extreme poverty and hunger — around the block and around the world. In partnership with the global humanitarian organization Church World Service (cwsglobal.org), the Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk offers a way for everyone to meet the increased need.

In its 42-year history, the walk is proud that over 13,730 walkers have raised more than $1.75 million, with more than $429,800 given to local agencies working to end hunger. In 2024, the Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk ranked 20th (out of over 500 walks) in the nation, raising over $50,000. The committee has set a goal of $50,000 again this year with hopes of exceeding that amount.

Funds support the work of CWS, and 25% of the total raised in the Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk will support the efforts of local agencies fighting hunger. The 2025 recipients include: Northern Illinois Food Bank, FISH Food Pantry — Carpentersville, BACOA Meals With Wheels, United Partnership for a Better Community in Wauconda, and Wauconda-Island Lake Food Pantry.

This year the Barrington area and some 500 other communities nationwide are joining together in interfaith CROP Hunger Walks around the theme “Ending hunger one step at a time.” Organizers say this year’s walk is even more important than ever.

“The abrupt halt of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the freezing of foreign assistance will have dire consequences for many of the communities where CWS is at work, “ said Jon Skogen, National Community event manager, CWS.

“These policies will leave a vacuum in critical services. In some locations, CWS will be the only organization providing humanitarian assistance. The annual CROP Hunger Walks raise significant funds which are a critical foundation for all the work at CWS.”