KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With a goal of $25,000 this year, walkers take to the streets of downtown Kalamazoo for the CROP Hunger Walk next month.
Launched in 1969 by Church World Service, CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events, organized by local churches and other groups, to raise money for local and global programs addressing hunger and food insecurity. Kalamazoo area churches began sponsoring local walks in 1977. Since then, those walks have raised over $1.67 million through near-annual events.
Feeding America reports 14.8% of Kalamazoo County residents are food-insecure. That works out to 38,620 people, a third of whom don’t qualify for SNAP or other government benefits. Walk organizers say over 9,500 children in Kalamazoo County are food-insecure.
“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.”
The event happens Sunday, May 3, with check-in starting at 1:00 p.m. and kickoff at 2;00 p.m. Walk routes of 1.1 miles and 3.1 miles will loop in and around downtown Kalamazoo, starting and ending at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 South Westnedge Avenue.
Details about this year’s Kalamazoo Valley CROP Hunger Walk and a link to sign up can be found at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/chw/event/kalamazoomi.
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