Barrington CROP Walk aims to fill gap left by reduced federal nutrition aid
The 44th annual Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11, to help neighbors facing hunger around the block and around the world.
The event begins at 12:30 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 Ela St. in Barrington. With cuts to federal nutrition, healthcare, and humanitarian aid programs, organizers say this year’s walk is more urgent than ever.
A portion of funds will support local agencies here in the area with the balance supporting Church World Service programs worldwide. Past recipients have included: Northern Illinois Food Bank, FISH Food Pantry — Carpentersville, BACOA Meals With Wheels, and Wauconda-Island Lake Food Pantry
Across the United States, reductions to key safety net programs — including SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and the Child Tax Credit — are pushing more families to seek help from community food programs. At the same time, the withdrawal of U.S. foreign assistance has shuttered lifesaving services abroad, leaving organizations like Church World Service to keep vital food, health, and shelter programs running in refugee and crisis-affected communities.
“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. “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.”
What the CROP Hunger Walk makes possible
• Here at home: Funds help stock local food pantries and meal programs, support refugees and newcomers facing hunger, and bolster agencies strained by increased need following cuts to federal nutrition and health programs.
• Around the world: Donations sustain emergency food assistance, healthcare access in refugee settings, climate-smart agriculture, and long-term solutions that strengthen food security when public funding is withdrawn.
The easiest way to register or donate is the website: events.crophungerwalk.org/chw/event/barringtonil.
Faith communities, schools, clubs, and businesses are encouraged to walk together. There is a one-mile and a 5K route through downtown Barrington.
Can’t walk? Donate or sponsor a walker; every step and dollar helps.
Last year, 117 walkers raised $53,164 through the Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk. The Barrington Area Walk ranked 23rd out of 520 Walks in 2025. Organizers hope to surpass that total this year to meet the growing need.
About CROP Hunger Walks
For more than five decades, CROP Hunger Walks have united neighbors of all faiths and backgrounds to raise funds and awareness to end hunger. Walks support local hunger fighting partners and the global work of Church World Service. The global humanitarian and development organization works with communities to end hunger and poverty, respond to emergencies, support refugees and asylum seekers, and build a more just world for all. Learn more at cwsglobal.org.