The 28th annual CROP Hunger Walk is set for this Sunday, October 23rd. Everyone in the Cortland community, including students, staff members at SUNY Cortland, and locals are welcome to participate.
The university community has been collecting donations raised by the Crop Hunger Walk for 16 years.
CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk fundraising events held in cities and towns across the United States, created to support the global mission of Church World Service, a non-denominational faith-based organization, transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster.
When the CROP Hunger Walk ends, 25% of the funds raised will be returned to the Cortland community to support local hunger-fighting efforts. Feeding initiatives like the SUNY Cortland Cupboard campus food pantry can benefit from the walk.
After, Church World Service distributes the remaining funds. Globally each year, the walks raise around $20 million, and the money is used to provide a means of living for individuals all over the world.
I had the opportunity of speaking with Colin Aleci, a student volunteer for the event. “It is important for people to walk and/or donate because it directly involves people in the community and benefits the community as well. It is an easy way for people to give back to the area in which we spend so much of our time” Aleci shares.
The event often draws a sizable number of student organizations. Several sororities, varsity teams, club sports, and other student organizations have already signed up. 15 teams of SUNY Cortland students raised almost $10,000 last October to fight world hunger.
Organizers are hoping to incorporate even more students this year since more than 345 million people worldwide are at risk of starving because of wars, COVID-19, climatic shocks, and global inflation.
Jim Miller, a professor in the SUNY Cortland history department and the area’s CROP walk coordinator, believes that this year might see both a rise in donations and participation. However, there is not much time left for individuals to participate.
This year, walkers can sign up in person between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Church on Court Street located next to the city fire station. Groups or individuals can then begin walking soon after. Through the local walk’s website, participants may also register in advance online.
For more information, visit the Cortland CROP Hunger Walk website or contact james.miller@cortland.edu.