Moscow and Pullman residents join forces to fight local and world hunger through the 28th annual CROP Walk.
The Pullman-Moscow Crop Walk will take place Oct. 9, beginning at the Chipman Trailhead in Pullman.
The walk is sponsored by the Pullman-Moscow CROP Hunger Walk committee, and raises funds to support hunger projects around the world while bringing local and world hunger to the public’s attention.
“One of the goals that’s chief is to raise money for hunger projects here in Pullman and around the world,” said Mary Carloye, an active participant in the walk since it began in 1983. “The other goal is to educate that there is hunger, here and in the U.S. and around the world.”
Last year the CROP walk raised $18,000 for hunger projects around the world and its total funds raised over the 27-year history is $299,264.60. This year the committee hopes to meet or exceed last year’s total. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will go to food banks in Moscow and Pullman to be divided based on the number of walkers from each town.
The remainder of the funds will support the Church World Service, an organization focused on resolving hunger issues around the world. The organization also helps implement sustainable agriculture in communities.
“Hunger is based on people not having adequate tools or seeds or water,” Carloye said.
In addition to food projects and hunger, the CWS also emphasizes water issues, including irrigation.
“The program that our funds go to helps not just with disaster relief, but also with long term projects — digging wells and helping communities become more sustainable on their own,” said Sylvia Hutton, a 20-plus year participant in the walk.
“They help people to dig wells and irrigation systems for crops they have. When people are empowered to raise their own food they are able to sell it and improve their family lifestyle,” Carloye said.
The walk is intended to symbolize the trek that many people around the world are forced to make just to find fresh water or places where they can sustainably grow crops.
“When people are empowered to raise their own food they are able to sell it and improve their family lifestyle,” Carloye said.
The Moscow-Pullman walk begins at the Chipman Trailhead and continues through downtown Pullman. Once participants reach the halfway point they will turn around and head back to the trailhead. For participants who are unable to complete the entire 10k distance, a shorter 5k turnaround point will be marked.
Carloye, 72, encouraged participation from people of all backgrounds and situations in life.
“We welcome everyone,” Carloye said. “Everybody from babies in strollers to retirees, college students, and dogs.”
Participants are discouraged from using roller-blades, skateboards or bicycles in order to provide a safe environment for walkers. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome.
To participate in the event or to donate, community members are encouraged to sign up online at www.cropwalkonline.org or contact Nancy Mack at 208-332-6252. Teams and individuals are both encouraged to participate.
“You might well make new friends, it’s a very sociable group,” Carloye said.