Record-breaking year for local CROP Hunger Walk

12/07/2021 

The 27th annual Cortland area CROP Hunger walk was held Sunday, Oct. 24, and raised a record $17,055. Returning to its traditional format of weaving the streets of downtown Cortland, this year’s walk saw a resurgence of SUNY Cortland student and staff participation.  

Due to COVID-19, last year’s student involvement was limited to doing the actual walking at home over the Thanksgiving break. Consequently, fewer student groups participated. 

A total of 375 walkers registered and 318, or 85 percent, identified themselves as SUNY Cortland students or staff. Of the more than $17,000 that was raised, over $10,000 is attributed to SUNY Cortland. Funds continue to come in, largely from the local churches. This is the 15th year that SUNY Cortland was a major factor in the success of the walk.

As always, 25 percent of the funds raised will return to the local community to support food pantries and feeding programs including the SUNY Cortland Cupboard.

There are several Golden Sneaker plaques awarded each year to the SUNY Cortland organizations that raise the most funds. The cost of the plaques is underwritten by the James M. Clark Center for Global Engagement.  

The overall winner, and also winner of the Athletic Team plaque is once again the women's softball team, which raised $2,531. The men’s lacrosse team was second with a total of $2,023. 

The Greek community plaque is awarded to repeat winner Delta Phi Epsilon which raised $1,448. The campus club/organization that raised the most was DanceWorks for the second year in a row raising $631. The COR 101 plaque went to the COR 101 HIS/SST classes with $257. 

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. History lecturer and local CROP walk coordinator is Jim Miller.