VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – More than 100 people participated in the CROP WALK for HUNGER in spite of the rain that greeted them at the beginning of the walk on Wednesday, May 5th.
This was the 41st CROP WALK held in Valley City with the goal of raising $5,000 for hunger and development projects across the world with 20% going to the Barnes County Food Pantry.
Event coordinator Sharon Buhr said hunger is on the rise, with 690 million people across the world (9% of the world’s population) going to bed on an empty stomach each night. In the USA the average grocery bill for a family of 4 is about $240 a week, whereas half of the world’s population is trying to survive on less than $18 a week. One way that CROP Hunger walkers help end hunger is by raising funds to help provide seeds and tools for farmers worldwide so families can grow their own food.
Booths were located at each of the 4 corners of the Jefferson Mile (the 1 mile walk route). Members of Connect Church, Our Saviors and Faith Lutheran plus the Congregational Church and Epworth Methodist shared information about hunger, water, health and education.
One question walkers were asked: How far do people in the third world have to walk to get their water every day? Answer: 3.5 miles! “We walk because they walk,” states Pastor Emmy Swedlund, walk co-chair, “and that’s a long way to walk everyday to get your family’s water!”
To reinforce the themes related to hunger needs, walkers received a packet of seeds at the hunger booth, a drink of water at the water booth, and Carol Umstad and Michelle Grebel passed out bananas or clementines as snacks at the hunger booth. Kay Bostrom and members of Faith Lutheran shared information on COVID-19 at their health booth, emphasizing that we’re not safe til the whole world is safe…and the importance for each of us to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Todd Anderson of Connect Church shared information about hunger by placing stakes with hunger facts all along the route. “If anyone would still like to donate to the CROP WALK for HUNGER, just bring your donation to any of the churches listed above,” emphasizes Anderson.
