2007 Midlands CROP Walk moves to State House; '06 walk raises $38,929
>> Locations to pick up walk packets and other educational materials
The Midlands CROP Walk Against Hunger is reconnecting with its past. The 2007 walk, the 29th, will start and end on the grounds of the South Carolina State House.
The 5K (3.1-mile) walk will also begin closer to Thanksgiving—Sunday, Nov. 18—to reinforce the hunger-fighting theme.
From the State House, at the corner of Gervais and Main streets, walkers will head south on Sumter Street to the Horeseshoe; turn left and walk across the Horseshoe and through campus to Barnwell Street in front of Capstone; turn left on Barnwell to Senate Street; turn left on Senate to Bull Street; turn right on Bull to Calhoun Street; left on Calhoun to Main; and left on Main back to the State House.
Honorary co-chairs will be Columbia Mayor Bob Coble and Donna Sorensen, wife of USC President Andrew Sorensen. The Capital City Big Band will play during pre-walk activities.
Walkers are encouraged to raise at least $100, although any walker who raises $75 or more will receive a free Midlands CROP Walk hat.
When the walk began in 1979, groups of walkers would converge on the State House from five starting points around the city. The walk was a 10-miler then. Walks became shorter over the years and eventually moved to Finlay Park.
The 2006 walk raised $38,929 to surpass the $700,000 mark in money raised for the 28-year history. (For a list of 2006 participants and the money they raised, click here.)
The CROP Walk is the perfect example of thinking globally and acting locally. Of the more than $730,000 raised, 75 percent has gone to Church World Service, which supports national and international anti-hunger, anti-poverty and emergency relief efforts.
Twenty-five percent continues to go to local agencies, which this year include Harvest Hope Food Bank and Lexington Interfaith Community Services (LICS).
CROP's longtime motto is “we walk because they walk,” indicative of how so many people in undeveloped countries are forced to walk miles each day to get the food and water they need to survive. Jenny Kennedy, director of LICS, relates a similar story closer to home.
“We have a lady who lives out close to Lake Murray and she lives in a mobile home. Every month she walks to LICS. She walks in the door smiling and walks out the door smiling, thankful that we are there. We would think that's terrible and very stressful and can't imagine walking for food.
“But because of the CROP Walk and the food it provides, we are able to help in that situation. Just know that you're seeing people everywhere you go, in church on Sunday, at the Wal-Mart, who are in need. It's so wonderful to have programs to support them.”
