CROP Hunger Walk organizers are hoping for better weather than the sleet and freezing temperatures that greeted participants during last year’s event. (Leader photo/File)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 925 million people (one in seven) are undernourished throughout the world —making hunger the number one threat to health.

This is exactly why Church World Services created the CROP Hunger Walk. The CROP Walk is held in states across the country to raise funds to fight hunger.

The 26th annual Cass County CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church. Twenty-five percent of funds raised are used in Cass County and the other 75 percent are used to fight hunger worldwide.

Pastor Scott Scheel of Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church has been involved in the walks for seven years.

“I got involved when I first came here,” Scheel said. “The more I learn about hunger, the stories sometimes just touch you. And the problems people face and how to fix them — sometimes it’s just digging a well. There are simple, practical ways to help if we just have the funds.”

The church will also host the Recruiters Rally on Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. A post-rally picnic with hotdogs and snacks will begin at 5:30. The rally is a chance for churches and organizations that wish to participate to pick up materials and get information about the event.

Last year the event raised $14,800 with 175 participators. This year the goal is $15,000 and 200 participants.

There is no cost to participate, though walkers are encouraged to get sponsors. Two anonymous donors have pledged a matching gift for the first $15 raised by each participant.

“People can also help by volunteering at water stations or registration, baking cookies, buying apples,” Scheel said. “So you can help even if your days of walking distances are behind you. There are other ways to help.”

The walk will feature a long walk (around 2.5 miles) and a shorter walk (less than a mile) for those not able to walk long distances. Participants can also do a scavenger hunt while walking.

To register for the CROP Walk, go to cropwalk.org, select Michigan then Cass County CROP Hunger Walk. Contact Pastor Scheel at 663-6815 for more information.