CROP Hunger Walks are community fundraising events in which individuals, churches and various organizations in the communities around the world seeking to bring awareness of and walk in solidarity with those who must walk long distances for the basic necessities of life: food and water.

The Cass County CROP Hunger Walk for 2009 is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, with registration beginning at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac.
The walk will commence at 2 p.m. after a brief welcome and send-off.

Sponsored by Church World Service (CWS), an international relief, development and refugee resettlement agency, the money raised by CROP Hunger Walks – more than $3.7 million in 2008 – is used to provide food, medical care, disaster relief and self-help development for needy people here and throughout the world.

CWS has been serving people affected by crisis and chronic need in this country and over 80 other countries for 60 years.

CROP is the fundraising arm of the humanitarian ministry of CWS with 35 member denominations working together locally and globally to address the needs of people traumatized by natural disasters, human crises and long-term poverty and injustice.

CROP is people helping people. Even though the people of Michigan have been suffering greatly with an ever-changing economy, including the loss of thousands of jobs, Michiganders continue to be leaders who respond by stepping up with compassion and generosity to meet the needs of their neighbors.

Cass County has been a significant part of this.

While the impact globally is phenomenal, there is a wonderful local impact as well.
Twenty-five percent of the funds raised here in Cass County stays in Cass County and this year will be distributed to the Feed My Sheep food pantry in Dowagiac, Helping Hands pantry and assistance program in Cassopolis, Edwardsburg Emergency Fund, Salvation Army CURE in Dowagiac and Simeon’s Hope homeless assistance in Dowagiac.

Last year the Cass Area CROP Hunger Walk raised $11,765, despite the poor economic conditions of our county.

And, with the receipt of grant monies was able to distribute $16,790, of which $4,200 stayed right here to help alleviate the effects of poverty.

“This year we have set a goal of 150 walkers raising $16,000, locally. We are confident these goals can be reached,” according to John Kasper, pastor of First United Methodist Church.

The following local businesses have sponsored CROP Walk T-shirts which will be given to each walker: McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, Harding’s Friendly Market of Dowagiac, Eckman Chiropractic Clinic, Mahar Insurance, KGB Construction, Midwest Energy Cooperative, Preferred Printing, Upstream Waters Landscaping, Connelly Funeral Home, Fifth Third Bank and Dowagiac Commercial Press.

As a means of bringing some friendly competition and fun to the walk, they are introducing the “Heavenly High-tops” trophy.

This traveling trophy, a large, size 18, white and yellow high top athletic shoe donated by Underwood Shoes of Dowagiac, will be presented to the church or organization that raises the most money this year.

After displaying their trophy for a year, it will return to the Cass County CROP walk the ensuing year to be presented to the next winning church or organization.

The real winners, of course, are those who will benefit from the funds raised to overcome poverty.
If you have a heart to help those in need, those who are less fortunate, then you are invited to participate in the Cass Area CROP Hunger Walk again or for the first time.

Individuals can solicit sponsorships from family and friends.

Or, become a recruiter for your church or organization.

Envelopes and recruiter’s packets can be obtained at First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac.

If you are unable to walk but wish to support the effort, please sponsor someone who is walking or write your check to: Church World Service /CROP Walk and mail it to P.O. Box 393, Dowagiac, MI, 49047.