Island Food Pantry reaps CROP Walk results
Published: May 22, 2008
The 101 walkers in the 17th Annual CROP Walk on October 21, 2007, collected $18,830 from hundreds of Island sponsors, which was sent along with approximately 2,000 other CROP Walk receipts to Church World Service to feed and provide for the hungry and help them overcome poverty nearby and around the world. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.
Most CROP Walks, including the Vineyard's, designate a local group to receive 25 percent of the donations. The Vineyard Clergy Association, the Vineyard Committee on Hunger, and the Island Food Pantry, which sponsor the annual walk, designated the Island Food Pantry, which received $4,707.50 as 25 percent of the $18,830 raised on the Island. This will cover close to 10 percent of the Food Pantry's annual expenses. In 17 years, the Vineyard CROP Walks have raised $258,821 for Church World Service.
Besides supporting the Island Food Pantry, CROP/Church World Service works through local churches and other faith-based groups to help those in greatest need, such as victims of hurricanes in Louisiana, warfare in Darfur, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and wherever people face devastation.
This year's walk is planned for Sunday afternoon, October 19, from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs and back (or whatever portion a walker is able to do). Those wishing to help are invited to contact Alden Besse at 508-693-3930. The CROP Walk committee also includes Phil Dietterich, coordinating chairman, Ann Deitrich, treasurer, and Mev Good, publicity.
