BETHEL — The annual CROP walk will begin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, starting at the West Parish Congregational Church, 32 Church St. Participants will walk three miles in solidarity for people around the world who have to walk for water or food and don’t have much to eat.
CROP stands for Communities Respond to Overcome Poverty. Money is being raised for the Church World Service with 25 percent staying in the area for the Bethel Food Pantry. Individuals or groups get pledges of money for the international and local work.
Church World Service has contacts in place around the world and programs established to promote small business projects, often called micro-learning. These women who often get these loans are very faithful about returning the money so more can gain from the programs. Then when an emergency might occur, like the earthquake in Haiti, CWS has contacts in place to facilitate additional assistance. They stored vast quantities of emergency blankets, school kits and hygiene kits in the Dominican Republic in preparation for a hurricane in the region. These came in use almost immediately when the earthquake hit a year ago in January. Church World Service has partners in Somalia, working to reach those most in need during the extended drought.
All ages are included in the walk, which will go on rain or shine.
Contact Mary Stryker at 824-23779 or mstryker26@hotmail.com for more information or packets.
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