09/24/2024
Red Dragons are known for strong support at the annual CROP Hunger Walks.
With the 30th annual Cortland CROP Hunger Walk set for a month from now — Sunday, Oct. 20 —organizers are hoping for an early and strong registration among students, staff, sports teams and organizations.
The community-based walkathon across the U.S. raises millions each year for both global and domestic disaster relief, agricultural development, refugee resettlement and emergency food aid. Each year 25 percent of the money raised locally stays in Cortland to support food pantries and feeding programs including the SUNY Cortland Cupboard.
In 2023, 84 percent of the walkers in the Cortland CROP Hunger Walk were from SUNY Cortland and they raised a record $7,050 of the $12,401 total. For the SUNY Cortland participants, a plaque is awarded annually to the team that raises the most money in each of the following categories: COR 101 classes, athletic teams, Greek sororities and fraternities, residential hall communities and Cortland clubs and organizations.
In April, Church World Service recognized SUNY Cortland as a national “Cream of the CROP” fundraiser, ranking 85th in the nation among groups in 1,300 CROP Hunger Walks in 2023. In 2021, 15 teams of SUNY Cortland students raised more than $10,000 to combat world hunger. It was the strongest student effort among more than 2,000 CROP Hunger Walks held across the U.S.
Teams and individuals can register at https://crophungerwalk.org/cortlandny.
The start and finish location is Grace and Holy Spirit Church at 13 Court St.
- Maps showing the 1-and 3-mile route will be available at sign up.
- Registration will take place outside the church from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. After you sign up, you may walk/run individually or with friends or teams.
- SUNY Cortland/Club/Team/Greek affiliation attire is encouraged!
- Those with collected funds/donations may turn them in at the registration table.
Faculty are reminded to encourage students to participate by signing up online.
“If we can challenge each SUNY Cortland walker to raise $100 – that’s $10 from each of 10 friends and/or family members, then our total funds raised could reach up to $30,000-$40,000,” said SUNY Cortland History Department lecturer and local CROP walk coordinator Jim Miller. “We encourage early sign up as we don’t want people to run out of time to get involved.”
Materials may be picked up outside the History Department Office, Old Main, Room 212.