Genesee County CROP Walk is Oct. 2

Billie Owens — Sep 29, 2010, 3:31pm

Organized locally, the Genesee County CROP Hunger Walk has set a goal of 150 walkers, and hopes to raise $8,000 to help stop hunger and poverty, in our community and around the world, through self-help initiatives.

CROP is an acronym for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 and the walk starts at 9. It's at the Salvation Army offices at 529 E. Main St. in Batavia.

The walk is approximately 3K in length, an easy walk on city sidewalks, beginning and ending at the Salvation Army, with an optional restroom stop at the YWCA on North Street. Maps will be provided.

Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will stay in Genesee County, to be used for Community Action and the LeRoy Pantry and Help Fund.

Each walker is also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item the morning of the walk for the Food Pantry at the Salvation Army.

The remainder of funds raised will go to Church World Service, the sponsor of the CROP Walk, to be distributed in the United States and around the world to fight hunger. If sponsors wish to designate a different recipient for the funds, the list of alternative organizations will be provided. Funds may also be designated for Catholic Relief Service.

A Pancake Breakfast will also be held at the Salvation Army from 8 to 11 a.m. on the morning of the walk. The breakfast is open to the community, not just walkers. Cost is $3 for adults, $1 for children 10 and under.

Honorary WALK Chair Tom Rivers will be at the breakfast signing copies of his book, “Farm Hands." Books will be available for purchase, with proceeds donated to CROP.

Genesee County joins some 2,000 cities and towns nationwide in community CROP Hunger Walks, proclaiming solidarity with millions of neighbors around the world who have to walk to live -- as well as with those served by local food banks, which share in the funds raised by CROP Walks.

For more information about the Genesee County CROP Walk, or for sponsor forms, contact Beth Stich at 344 3176, or any of this year’s team members (below).

The 2010 Genesee County CROP Walk Team: Roula Alkhouri -- Nancy Arras -- Dorian Ely -- Ron Hallman -- Bob Knipe -- Robert & Patricia Kurtz -- John McGowan -- Jim & Martha Morasco -- Beth Stitch -- Jackie Wilson.