*More than 9,500 children in Kalamazoo County are food-insecure, and organizers are counting on walkers to help bridge that gap.*
The annual CROP Hunger Walk returns to downtown Kalamazoo on Sunday, May 3, with participants aiming to raise $25,000 to support local food programs and global hunger relief efforts.
The event, which has taken place in Kalamazoo since 1977, has raised more than $1.67 million through near-annual events since local churches began sponsoring it in that year. The walk was originally launched in 1969 by Church World Service as a community-wide way to address hunger and food insecurity.
"After several years of lower participation, last year's walk saw a tremendous uptick in people walking to make sure hungry people are fed," said Hector Quemada, chair of the Kalamazoo Valley CROP Hunger Walk Committee. "We're excited to see that participation grow even more this year."
Participants can check in at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church at 504 S. Westnedge Ave. The kickoff is set for 2 p.m., with walkers choosing from two routes: a 1.1-mile loop or a 3.1-mile loop that winds through downtown Kalamazoo.
The need for such fundraising efforts is stark. According to Feeding America, 14.8 percent of Kalamazoo County residents are food-insecure, which translates to approximately 38,620 people. Organizers say about one-third of those do not qualify for SNAP or other government benefits.
"As a community, greater Kalamazoo is united in its belief that no one, least of all children, should have to go to bed hungry," Quemada said. "Joining and supporting the CROP Walk is a concrete way for people to bring that commitment closer to reality."
More information and a link to register for the event can be found at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/chw/event/kalamazoomi.