CROP walkers go the extra mile to fight hunger

Salem Spirit Band and Singers from Salem Lutheran Church provided music prior to the CROP Walk. Photo by David Livengood, for the Salisbury Post

At the end of the walk, participants enjoyed hot dogs and drinks provided by Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Cheerwine. Photo by David Livengood, for the Salisbury Post

This was Don Heidt's 18th CROP Walk. He may be the oldest walker this year. Photo by David Livengood, for the Salisbur Post

Neal Powell pulled his daughter Caroline, 4, at the Rowan Salisbury CROP Walk Sunday afternoon. Photo by David Livengood, for the Salisbury Post

By Sam Wineka

news@salisburypost.com

Even in tough economic times, some residents made their way to City Park Sunday to take time to do something for others.

Eleven church groups brought 148 walkers and 19 volunteers to participate in Rowan County's 30th annual CROP Walk to fight hunger. The fundraisers collected donations before the event and in exchange they either walked a 1- or 4-mile course around Salisbury.

At around 2:30 p.m., the Salem Spirit Band and Singers, a 14-member ensemble, got things going during the registration period before the walk began at 3 p.m. "Everyone likes CROP Walk because (the money) stays here and they have very low operating costs," said Paula Troxler, the event coordinator this year.

CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty and raises money for the Church World Service, a relief charity in some 80 countries. Twenty-five percent of the money raised at Rowan's walk will support Rowan Helping Ministries and Meals On Wheels. The event is sponsored by the Rowan-Salisbury Ministerial Association.

Though donations are still trickling in from this year's walk, last year's event raised $8,300 with 23 fewer walkers participating. Troxler hoped this year's walk would raise close to $10,000.

"What it's all about is what we have in relationship to all those people around the world," Troxler said.

For the third consecutive year, First Presbyterian Church organized the event. Associate Pastor Dr. Randy Kirby led a commissioning and a prayer before the walk began.

Central United Methodist Church in Spencer took part in the walk for the first time, said youth leader Lauren West.

"I just thought it would be something cool," she said. "(The kids) wanted to get out and do something in the community."

West's group totaled 13 youths and raised $405.

Melanie Miller, youth leader at First United Methodist, said her church goes to Guatemala every year to do mission work and several of her group members had seen how hunger affects people firsthand.

"It's something that's close to their hearts," she said.

Maybe that's why many of the youths were still hanging out at the finish line at 5:30 p.m., long after the walk had ended.