For the past 28 years, thousands of community members from different faiths, cultures, and ages have walked together through the streets of Ortonville to take a stand against world hunger.
On Sunday, hundreds will fill the streets once again for the CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk.
Local resident and CROP Walk committee member Kris Danikolas will coordinate the event this year.
‘Our numbers at OCEF have climbed so much within the last couple years and I’m excited to see the turnout this year. It’s a really hard time economically right now, so people are in need more than ever.?
Church World Services puts on CROP Walks in 2,000 communities across the country each year and has raised over $264 million in the last 20 years to help feed struggling families.
‘I’m really excited to be working with such a great committee this year,? said Danikolas. ‘But I’m a little nervous. Sue Howard has been the coordinator for the last 28 years and hers are some pretty big shoes to fill.?
This year’s CROP Walk is going to be especially meaningful because it’s being dedicated to Joe Keesling, who died last February.
‘Joe was a tremendous loss,? said Danikolas. ‘He was such a hard-working and involved member of the CROP Walk committee. It’s been hard without him.?
CROP Walk proceeds benefit both the local community and the world, with 75 percent of the donations going to Church World Services to support hunger relief and the root causes of poverty, especially in third world countries. The remaining 25 percent of proceeds stays right here in the OCEF (Ortonville Community Emergency Fund) food pantry to help feed those who are struggling within the community. ‘Church World Services handles the money really well,? Danikolas said. ‘It’s a teach them how to fish kind of thing rather than just giving them a fish. And a little goes a long way.?
n$72 can provide food supplies to a family of five for a month.
n$120 can send three women to a literacy class for a year.
n$200 can provide a struggling farm can with a draft animal to significantly increase food production.
n$350 can enable the eldest in a child-headed household of AIDS orphans to receive vocational training to support their siblings.
n$1,050 can support community-based health, hygiene, and sanitation training for an entire community.
To participate, walkers can ask local businesses, neighbors, and/or friends to sponsor them. Any size donation is welcome by sponsors. Walkers can obtain a sponsor sheet from area churches including OUMC, Seymour Lake United Methodist Church, Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, St. Anne Catholic Church, Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Ortonville Baptist Church, Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Before the walk, which kicks of at 2 p.m., registration will be at the Ortonville United Methodist at 1 p.m. and envolopes will be available for late participaters to register.
‘I’m so grateful to have the help and support of the Oxford Bank, Sue Howard, Lydia Danikolas, and the CROP Walk committee. The walk wouldn’t be possible without them,? Danikolas said.