60 years ago, in the aftermath of World War II, American farmers got together to donate and ship surplus food and seeds to starving Europeans under the sponsorship of 17 denominations. This was the start of CROP. CROP is the community hunger appeal of Church World Service, including Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish congregations and school and service groups across the country. Relief supplies and seeds are shipped to areas of poverty and disaster here in our own country and all over the world, wherever disaster occur. Blankets, water tablets, health kits, food, and workers are provided through interfaith councils in flooded Midwestern states, to drought areas of the south, and to victims of Hurricanes and earthquakes. CWS continues to assist with interfaith relief efforts following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11th and provides assistance to refugees in Afghanistan, giving them hope for the future. This year, CROP WALK is also contributing to the fund for helping the Hurricane Katrina Victims. CWS believes that those closest to a problem are in the best position to solve the problem. We work with local interfaith partners here and in 80 countries providing disaster assistance as well as appropriate tools and technology for self-help development, so that people can help themselves. A successful program to grow and use MORINGA trees to feed people in west Africa and in East Africa is sponsored by CWS partners there.
The Red Bank area launched its 28th annual CROP WALK on Sunday, October 19th, 2008, and we thank all those who joined us. Red Bank CROP WALK is now Number 5 in the nation! Also, It is only $3,000 away from the number 4 spot. In last year's CROP WALK, over 1,000 people joined in the walk for hunger. We raised $118,787, which went to Church World Services. Our local partners recieved a total of $29,000. 4,300 pounds of peanut butter, rice, and beans were collected for local food pantries. We also launched our first modified walk for the physically challenged. 874 people of all ages walked in 2003, raising over $105,300 for programs to alleviate hunger. We collected over 1.5 tons of peanut butter for local food pantries. We walk 10 kilometers, the average distance that millions of people all over the globe walk for water, for food, for every need. Our 2002 Walk was #1 of 120 walks in New Jersey and first in the state to raise over $1,000,000, and is one of the top walks in the U.S. Participants come from ten towns to walk through Little Silver, Red Bank, Fair Haven and Rumson, asking friends and neighbors to sponsor them. Red Bank Crop Walk has corporate sponsors & Friends of Crop Walk, listed on our T-shirts. The Teen committee educates & recruits in youth groups and local schools.
25% of what we raise comes back to the Red Bank area to help at Lunch Break, ASLAN, Manna House, HABCORE, AACC Food Pantry, CALICO CAT Pantry, Kitchen at St. Mark�s, Monmouth Day Care Center, Meal at Noon & House of Ruth in Long Branch, St. Anthony's Food Pantry, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and Horizons Summer Enrichment Program. This year, some of the proceeds from the CROP WALK go to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We are able to help in 80 countries around the world, in 50 states, and here in our New Jersey communities by working and walking together. Join us to celebrate 56 years of help and hope through CROP. More information available at www.churchworldservice.org.
Last updated: May 14, 2008