Church World Service (CWS), the sponsor of CROP Hunger Walks, has been working to relieve hunger and poverty throughout the world since 1946. CWS grew out of the needs of refugees who were left with nothing in the aftermath of World War II.
The 44rd annual Kalamazoo Valley CROP Hunger Walk was held on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Bronson Park. Since the first Walk, over $1.4 million has been raised in our community. Since 25% of the funds remain in the Kalamazoo area, that amounts to $350,000 for the local Fight against Hunger. Nationally, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Crop Walk, which was the very first “walk” of any kind in our country!
CROP Walks are faith-based community fund-raising events sponsored by Church World Service (CWS), an international relief development and refugee resettlement agency. Participating walkers and sponsoring organizations work together to help disadvantaged people in Kalamazoo and around the world.
One-third of the proceeds is allocated for local projects, with the remainder going to support activities of CWS. Local organizations that received money from the project in 2019 were:
▪ Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes
▪ Open Doors
▪ YWCA Domestic Assault Shelter