YORK - Nearly everyday the news headlines tell of men, women and children suffering from hunger and enduring the ravages of natural disasters or war.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1:30 p.m., local residents can help those in need, by gathering at St. George's Episcopal Church in York Harbor to take part in the four-mile CROP Hunger Walk through York Village, to Long Sands Beach and back to York Harbor. There will be at least three water stations along the walk itself and a van will follow the walkers to pick up individuals who wish to ride back to the church. Everyone who can walk is welcome, and those who are unable to take part in the event are invited to sponsor those who are walking this year.
Sponsored by several local churches, the Ninth Annual York Community CROP Hunger Walk will be conducted in cooperation with Church World Service (CWS), a multi-church agency that combats worldwide poverty and hunger and provides emergency disaster relief. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.
"The CROP Hunger Walk is part of our community's response to the needs of suffering families in our own country and abroad," commented Ted Little, coordinator of this year's CROP Hunger Walk and a member of St. George's Episcopal Church, in an announcement of the upcoming event, who also happens to be a member of the York Board of Selectmen. "Last year's CROP Hunger Walk raised nearly $7,000, and we hope to do as well or better this year."
In addition to Little, members of the 2008 CROP Hunger Walk Ecumenical Committee include Rev. Paige Blair, Rector, St. George's Episcopal Church; Barbara Campbell and Ann D'Aquila of St. Christopher Church Social Justice and Peace Committee; George Dow, who is serving as committee treasurer for the event, of St. George's Episcopal Church; Marilyn Fyfe of York/Ogunquit United Methodist Church; Carol Gammon of Union Congregational Church; Rev. Linda Hirst, pastor at First Parish Congregational Church; John Madden of St. Christopher Church, and Jack McArdle of St. Raphael Church Social Justice and Peace Committee in Kittery.
Church World Service promotes CROP Hunger Walks in communities throughout the United States. Over the past eight years, hundreds of York walkers have raised funds for this cooperative ecumenical ministry that distributes food, shelter, and other disaster relief in some 80 countries around the world, including the United States. In the spring of 2006, during the floods, Church World Service was in York.
In addition to supporting the work of Church World Service, 25 percent of the funds raised by York's CROP Hunger Walk will go to local agencies, specifically the York Community Food Pantry, the Table of Plenty, which serves the Yorks and the Berwicks, and the Footprints Food Pantry in Kittery. Last year, these groups shared about $1,750.
This year's CROP Hunger Walk will end where it begins, at St. George's Episcopal Church, where refreshments will be available.
Immediately following the walk at 4 p.m., St. George's will hold its U2charist, which is a ministry featuring the music of the acclaimed band U2 and focused on the theme of ending world poverty. A portion of the donations received in the U2charist will support the CROP Hunger Walk, and all are invited to attend.
According to St. George's Episcopal Church Rev. Paige Blair, PBS has expressed interest in sending a crew to tape a short segment on the CROP Hunger Walk and U2charist for its program "Religion and News Weekly," which is doing a series on faith and global aid initiatives.
Registration for the CROP Hunger Walk is at 1 p.m. on Oct. 19 at St. George's Church. Prior to that date, registration forms will be available at the local churches that are sponsoring the CROP Hunger Walk. Walkers and sponsors of walkers are asked to make donations in amounts of their choice and checks should be payable to CWS/CROP. For more information, contact Ted Little at 363-7527 or Ann D'Aquila at 363-6910.
