Bicyclists and walkers to join in this year’s Elgin CROP Walk
The 2026 Elgin CROP Walk for Beyond Hunger will take place on Sunday, Sept. 27, departing from Gail Borden Public Library and walking or biking north and back on the Fox River Trail to raise money for global anti-poverty, disaster relief and assistance to refugees around the world. One quarter of the funds raised will be returned to Elgin Cooperative Ministry for support of their Soup Kettles and food pantries in Elgin.
This year’s walk will be led by honorary chairperson Michael Warren. A prominent local businessman in sales and car washes, Warren was one of the founders of Food for Greater Elgin and has been on its board ever since its creation. During the COVID crisis in 2020, he was able to raise over $200,000 from local businesses and governments to provide food for the community at the time of greatest need.
Church World Service was created in 1947 to respond to the devastation from World War II. While it was founded by the National Council of Churches, it has been independent of that organization since 2000. It now describes itself as a “faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.” It works cooperatively with about 164 such organizations around the world. Donors may designate to which organization they want their money directed.
In Elgin, about 16 faith and civic organizations will be participating in this year’s walk, including the Islamic Community Center, Burhan Academy and Congregation Kneseth Israel as well as the traditional mainstays of Baptist, Brethren, Congregationalists, Lutherans and Methodists.
Sunday’s event will include gathering and registering walkers at 1:30 p.m. followed by music presented by St. James AME Church and addresses by Warren and others.
Bicyclists will set off at 2 p.m., followed by those walking. Bicyclists will ride north to East Dundee before returning while walkers will turn east on Slade Avenue and return to the library along Grove Avenue.
When they return they will be greeted by a shelter created by Congregation Kneseth Israel as part of their Sukkot celebration. At this time of year a Sukkah, a temporary foliage roofed booth, is done to remember the desert journey as the Jewish people escaped from slavery. Walkers will join them as we help others escape from the slavery of poverty and hunger.
Participants may join in by registering at events.crophungerwalk.org/chw/event/elginil.