By Portia Williams
The 23nd annual Scioto County CROP Hunger Walk will be Sunday, Sept. 27. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Tracy Park. The walk begins at 2 p.m.
Elsie Shabazz, who has served as chairperson of the Scioto County CROP Walk for two years, said the annual walk is important because in addition to helping with hunger, it brings the community together.
“I believe Crop is important to the community not just because of what it does for the pantries which is a blessing to all of us, but also because of the camaraderie it brings,” Shabazz said. “We bring different people together, working together for a common cause. Not one group thinks their agenda is more important than the other, we are just a group of people working together and that is what we need in this society today.”
The Scioto County Hunger Crop Walk is number two in the State of Ohio.
“Total donations received by the Scioto County Hunger Crop Walk is second only to Franklin County for the entire state of Ohio. So that lets everyone know that the people of Scioto County are caring people, no matter who you are, sometime in your life you just want to know that someone else cares and this is just one way of showing we do care,” she said.
Other local pantries are encouraged to be a part of the CROP Walk planning committeee.
“If there are any other pantries interested in working on the planning committee next year, let us know the day of the walk and then start watching the paper for information starting in May when the planning starts,” she said.
According to a USDA report, more than 50 million Americans aren’t sure where their next meal will come from. One in three of them are children.
According to Shabazz, 25 percent of the donations will benefit the following local food pantries: First Presbyterian, Second Presbyterian, Kingdom Builders Evangelistic Ministries, Cornerstone United Methodist, and First Lutheran Church, and the Scioto County Homeless Shelter.
The remaining donations will go toward national and international emergency relief and sustainable efforts to end world hunger. Your efforts to walk and raise money will make a difference in the lives of those who experience hunger.
All who desire to participate in the walk must bring at least one canned food item. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Tracy Park. The walk begins at 2 p.m.
There is a one mile route and a 3.5 mile route. Those who turn in $50 or more will receive a CROP Hunger Walk t-shirt.
Walkers and or all who are helping to raise money for the CROP Walk are ask to encourage their sponsors to pay prior to the walk and try to return your sponsor envelope to your recruiter by Sept. 27.
All money not turned in the day of the walk must be turned in by Oct. 10. Contact Elsie Shabazz 740-352-9190 or Charlene Aeh 740-259-2810 to make arrangements to turn in money that you do not turn in the day of the walk.
Note the option that sponsors (not walkers) have of designating their donations to specific agencies (see back of envelope). Catholic sponsors may write in Catholic Relief Services if they wish.
Live entertainment will be provided by Doug Parsley and the Crop Rockers before and after the walk. There will be refreshments at the Post Walk Rally in Tracy Park.
Shabazz said their goal this year is $25,000. Walkers that can get just 10 sponsors, and each donates $5, will have reached $50, if you can get 20 sponsors and each donates $5, which is $100.
Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.
