CROP Hunger Walk Set for Oct. 22

10/10/2017 

The CROP Hunger Walk has been a tradition in Cortland for 22 years.

The 23rd annual event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 22, starting at Grace and Holy Spirit Church on 13 Court St. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the walk starts at 1:30 p.m.

To register and donate, visit CROPHungerWalk.org/cortlandny.

SUNY Cortland’s athletic teams, fraternities and sororities, clubs and COR 101 students have made it a fundraising success. The 419 students, coaches, faculty and staff who participated in last year’s walk raised more than $6,000 that went toward fighting hunger locally and around the world.

“The biggest reason why we decided to do it is because the money stays in Cortland,” said head softball coach Julie Lenhart. “It’s nice to do an event where a lot of the money stays locally but it also helps fight world hunger as well and the cause is so good.”

SUNY Cortland’s softball team raised $1,695 in 2016, the top-grossing group on campus. Awards are issued to the top fundraisers among athletic teams, Greek organizations, clubs, and COR 101 classes. For the first time, residence halls will be included in the 2017 awards.

Lenhart and her players solicit donations from friends and family members. Their team spirit and willingness to take on a challenge have propelled the softball team to the top of the CROP Hunger Walk standings.

“It became this goal that if we’re going to do something, we’re going to do it right,” Lenhart said. “We’ve been able to for the last two years as the top fundraiser.”

CROP Hunger Walks are sponsored by Church World Service and have been held all over the world since 1969. The walks raise approximately $20 million each year, with 25 percent of donations returned to local food pantries and feeding programs in host communities.

Theta Chi will handle information and signup tables and day-of-walk registration. Blaze will be on hand to greet walkers. The walk will take place rain or shine.  

For more information, contact history lecturer and local CROP walk coordinator Jim Miller at 607-753-4771.