CROP HUNGER WALK

Submitted by Marianna Martins
On October 16, in New Providence, members of several churches in the area participated in a three mile walk across the town. The CROP Hunger walk was hosted by the United Methodist Church to raise money for local and international initiatives against hunger. CROP Hunger Walk is sponsored by Church World Service, but is an interfaith event meant to build a sense of community while making a difference.
Mike Warin, who organized the event, started it by reminding the small crowd of locals that their participation provided funds for nutritious food and clean water in over 30 countries, including the United States. A short prayer, appropriately labeled Blessing of the Walkers, was said in a moving manner. The prayer was a plea to God to watch over those who are afflicted by extreme poverty. The crowd was then asked to sing an African folksong named We Are Marching in the Light of God. After two verses in English, they impressively began to sing the hymn in Swahili.
When the song had reached its end, excited murmurs surfaced from the conjunction. Supervisors for the event passed out picket signs that participants were encouraged to hold up during the walk. The walk began in the direction of the quiet town’s main intersection at South Street with Springfield Avenue. Throughout the march, the walkers encouraged each other with uplifting conversation. One group spoke about their first time getting involved with a religious program, while another spoke about the selfeffacing thoughts that evoke emotion during an event that calls upon the help of those who are more fortunate.
In 25 years CROP Hunger Walks have raised over $300 million for families around the world. Although such large contributions are made, about one in nine people do not have enough food to sustain a regular life. While Latin American and Caribbean countries have decreased their numbers, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa continue to have an overwhelming population of starving families.
Although the fight seems far from home, members of the United Methodist Church are well aware that the struggle reaches neighborhoods near us, since 42.2 million American families live in food-insecure households.
Upon arriving to the church, everyone was reminded that they can take more initiative to help the cause. Once a month, an organized group goes to Saint John’s Soup Kitchen to prepare and serve seasonal meals.
The church has not only recognized that starvation is a preventable epidemic, but they have spread awareness and raised money to make a difference.