CROP is the community hunger appeal of Church World Service (CWS), which was begun in 1947 to help Midwest farm families share their grain with hungry neighbors and previous enemies in post-war Europe and Asia. Nowadays, 22 regional offices across the United States help organize over 2000 CROP Walks every year. CROP Walk participants raise money by asking people to sponsor them for the distance they walk – 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). This distance represents the average distance walked by millions of women and children all over the globe to get water for their daily needs. The money raised is used to help people in 80 countries, including the USA, bringing aid to those suffering from famine, poverty and natural disasters. CWS also provides appropriate tools, technology and training for development so that people can help themselves.
In 1979 Dave Muyskens, the minister from Shrewsbury Presbyterian, initiated the first CROP event in the Red Bank area. A small band of people cleaned up debris from a beach at Sandy Hook, raising about $3000. It was followed the next year with a volleyball-a-thon. In 1981 the first CROP Walk took place. Sarah and Len Dunikowski from Tower Hill Presbyterian coordinated the Walk. About 15 churches participated, raising $6,127. In 1982, 19 churches participated, and 25% of the funds raised went to four local agencies: Family & Community Services, Interfaith House, Mobile Meals and Project Paul. Rick Weaver led the Coordinating Committee in 1983 and 1984, and in 1985 Janie Schildge became the Coordinator and has done it ever since.
The Red Bank CROP Walk has kept growing, building on the dedication of Sarah, who died of leukemia in 1990. The 1991 Walk was dedicated to her, and $50,126 was raised that year. Participants now include schools, the recipient agencies, service groups and businesses, in addition to churches, bringing the total participation to over 1200 walkers and volunteers. The geographic area covered has expanded too, now extending from Hazlet to Asbury Park. A Teen Committee, initially formed by Sister Donna D’Alia, the youth director at the Church of the Nativity, works with both schools and churches to get youth involved. The Teen Committee also maintains our website.
As the participation has increased, so has the amount of money raised. 2000 was the first year the Red Bank Walk raised over $100,000. In 2004 we raised $118,500. This year’s goal is to raise $125,000. According to our regional CWS office, the Red Bank Walk has raised $1,315,005.50 since 1981. For many years the Red Bank Walk has been the most successful Walk in the state, and one of the top 10 walks in the country!
Our Walk has benefited from hundreds of volunteers, such as, the Garden State Amateur Radio Association, the National Guard, the Fire Police and Police departments of towns we walk through (Little Silver, Red Bank and Fair Haven), Boy and Girls Scouts, DJs, bands, and many, many individuals who cheerfully give a Sunday afternoon in October to make our walk a safe, fun and successful event.
A unique feature of CROP Walks is that 25% of the funds raised are returned to the local community. Each year the Coordinating Committee identifies local agencies to receive some of the funds raised. These agencies are chosen because they work every day to help feed, house and comfort people. In return these agencies are asked to partner with us by providing volunteers to help with the Walk. This year there are 14 local agencies. Over $328,000 has been distributed to over 30 local agencies since 1981.
In addition to raising money through sponsorship of walkers, selling of t-shirts and corporate sponsorships, we ask all participants to bring a jar of peanut butter, box of rice, or a can of beans to the Walk. Last year more than 4300 pounds was given to two dozen food pantries in the area.
Please support our 25th Red Bank CROP Walk on Sunday, October 16, 2005 by walking, sponsoring or volunteering, and be a part of the effort to bring help and hope to the hungry of the world.
For more information, contact: Janie Schildge (732-741-0528), Sue Glossbrenner (732-530-7674), or the
NJ CROP Office (609-924-6466).
Donations may be sent to: Red Bank CROP Walk, P.O. Box 8022, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Last updated: September 3, 2005