VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Despite a few sprinkles under a cloudy ski several people participated in the Valley City-Barnes County CROP WALK for Hunger on Wednesday, May 1 in Valley City. The 3 mile 5(K) walk started and finished at Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City.

The ecumenical event, supported by numerous churches in the area, focuses on empathizing with people who have to walk to get the food and water that they need daily (without a car) and on raising money to support folks in need both here in Barnes County and across the world.

Twenty percent of the funds from the CROP WALK will go to the Barnes County Food Pantry. The remaining funds will go to Church World Service, an ecumenical development and relief organization that works across the world. They provide communities with emergency food help when situations are desperate at home and overseas. Church World Service responds to emergencies and disasters, providing food, water and educational supplies.

Clean water is essential for life and Church World Service helps communities find clean sources of water, by providing supplies to collect clean rain water in drums, digging reservoirs or wells. This organization also provides the tools and seeds for families in poverty to plant their own gardens. They also provide the technical support for communities and families to build their own latrines.