CWS and CROP Hunger Walks
CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk fundraising events held in cities and towns across the United States, created to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. After a CROP Hunger Walk ends, 25% of the funds raised is returned to the host community to support local hunger fighting efforts (split between North Kent Connect and Cedar Springs Community Food Bank). Only 3.5% of funds raised for CWS is used for administrative costs.
Background
The Crop Project began in 1947 when farmers were asked to donate food and seed crops to our hungry neighbors in post-World War II Europe and Asia. The first CROP Hunger Walks took place in Bismarck, North Dakota (1969), and York, Pennsylvania (1970). Since then, CROP Hunger Walk events have been held in hundreds of communities, large and small, raising millions of dollars to eradicate hunger and poverty.
Our Missions Team has been holding virtual CROP Walks in the past few years. Instead of holding a walk, the bread pan collections for the last two Sundays in September are given to CWS. Bread pan collections are offerings collected in bread pans in addition to the offering plate each Sunday. Monies collected in the bread pans are donated to various organizations designated by our Missions Team.