Riverhead CROP Walk on Sunday was part of worldwide effort to raise funds to end hunger

Riverhead’s annual CROP Walk took place Sunday afternoon.

CROP (Community Response to Overcome Poverty) hunger walks raise money for people in undeveloped countries and take place all over the United States, according to event coordinator Liz Wines. Participants in the CROP walk ask friends and family for donations in the form of a sponsorship.

“We walk because they walk,” Wines said. “Many people in undeveloped countries walk many miles everyday to school, to work and for water.”

Wines said this money could be used to drill a water well in villages closer to where the people live. It could provide them animals and fields closer to their homes. The money could also provide schools for children who don’t have schools close to them.

Of the money raised, 75 percent is distributed internationally to the location with the greatest need. The other 25 percent stays in Riverhead and will be split between the Salvation Army and St. Isidore’s to provide for their food pantries, Wines said.

Members of many churches around Riverhead including Old Steeple Church, First Congregational Church of Riverhead, United Methodist Church, St. Isidore’s, St. John’s, Living Water Full Gospel Church, as well as the Salvation Army all gathered at the United Methodist Church om East Main Street at 2 p.m. to begin their 4.6 mile walk to St. Isidore’s in Polish Town and back.

About 50 people participated in the CROP hunger walk Sunday.

Wines said the final amount raised wasn’t calculated yet, but the walk usually raises $4,000 to $5,000.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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