PHOTOS: Local churches unite for annual CROP Hunger Walk to tackle food insecurity crisis

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Walking to fight hunger, organizers held their annual CROP Hunger Walk Sunday.

With a fundraising goal of $15,000, thirteen local churches teamed up for Kalamazoo branch of the annual CROP Hunger Walk fundraiser to make an impact on food insecurity and fight hunger.

Local participating churches include:

• Bethany Reformed Church
• First United Methodist Church
• North Park Reformed Church
• Second Reformed Church
• Trinity Lutheran Church
• Chapel Hill United Methodist Church
• First Congregational Church
• First Presbyterian Church
• Greenwood Reformed Church
• St. Andrews Community Church
• Sunnyside Methodist Church
• Prairie Edge Christian Reformed Church
• St. Martin of Tours

Previously, their fundraising goal was $12,000 and event organizers upgraded that to $15,000.

“We’re in a tough time when food insecurity is on the rise while funding resources are harder to come by,” Hector Quemada, chair of the Kalamazoo Valley CROP Hunger Walk Committee, said. “But one thing is certain: Kalamazoo has always had a heart for making sure no child, no adult, no family goes hungry. The CROP Hunger Walk is a chance for our whole community to make a difference.”

Food insecurity impacts 343 million people worldwide, according to event organizers, and Feeding America reports 1.4 million people (14% of the state’s population) in Michigan are facing hunger and 378,040 of those people are children. That equates to one in every seven people and one in every six children throughout the state.

Funds raised from the CROP Walk are going to local and global programs through Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes and Church World Service. General donations for the cause are being accepted online. To support a specific local walking team, head online and go to “Donate” then “find a team or participant to support” and search for the person or team you would like to support.

The Crop Project began in 1947 when farmers were asked to donate food and seed crops to neighbors in post-World War II Europe and Asia. Launched in 1969 by Church World Service, CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events, organized by local churches and other groups, to raise money for local and global programs addressing hunger and food insecurity. Kalamazoo area churches began sponsoring local walks in 1977, according to event organizers.