Each October, the Charlottesville-Albemarle CROP WALK raises money for hunger and disaster relief. The middle-school youth of St. Paul’s, Ivy participate in this effort by asking for sponsors and walking to raise funds. CROP is the international hunger and relief agency for Church World Service. For over 50 years Church World Service has been helping hungry people become more self-reliant and has provided assistance after disasters have struck.

In 2007, over $31,000 was raised locally by 285 walkers and in the last thirty-four years the Charlottesville-Albemarle CROP WALK has raised over $535,000. Of the total, 75% has been used to support the hunger and refugee relief work of Church World Service. The remaining 25% has been distributed locally to our Community Meals on Wheels and the Emergency Food Bank.

Participants

County-wide, participants include people of all ages, who typically walk 10 kilometers. Before the CROP WALK, they obtain sponsor-envelopes from church recruiters and then obtain pledges from family members, neighbors, and friends in church, school, university, fraternal or civic organizations. On the day of the CROP WALK, all walk together over the designated route. After walkers collect from their sponsors, they turn-in the money to their recruiter or to the Barracks Road Branch of Bank of America.

Route

The CROP WALK follows a 10 kilometer loop route which starts and ends at First Presbyterian Church on Park Street. Walkers proceed through the Downtown Mall, out Ridge Street and then along Cherry Avenue and Jefferson Park Avenue and back on Main Street. The CROP WALK begins with a brief ceremony. Along the way refreshments, rest rooms, and encouragement are provided.

You Can Help

The 2008 Fall Crop Walk will be scheduled soon. Please support the youth of St. Paul’s, Ivy as they raise money and awareness for the hungry in central Virginia and around the nation. Please sign up as a sponsor or consider walking the route yourself. If you would like additional information, contact Will Peyton, Associate Rector, the church office, or the local CROP WALK organization.