Thanks to all who participated in a wonderful 2009 CROP Hunger Walk!

Around $46,000 has been raised so far.

On March 22, 2009, about 500 walkers joined together in support of the IFC Food Pantry and Community Kitchen as well as hunger relief efforts throughout the world.

Other Highlights:

1) Shorter route option! The 2-mile option was great for families with small children or others who found the longer route difficult.

2) We lightened our "footprints." Many walkers brought a water bottle to reduce waste. Plus, this year's T-shirts were organic!

3) We enjoyed live music from Southern Routes as well as few bagpipers

4) Folks of all ages enjoyed face painting, juggling and educational activities

5) Tired walkers were refreshed with snacks courtesy of EVOS and UNC Health Care

4) We soaked in some gorgeous spring sunshine

Check out our Facebook group: "2009 Chapel Hill/Carrboro CROP Hunger Walk!"

What is the 23rd Annual Chapel Hill/Carrboro CROP Hunger Walk?
The CROP Hunger Walk (CROP=Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) is a four-mile walk through the diverse streets of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and the UNC Campus with rest stops along the way and refreshments at the end. The CROP Walk links families and communities together to raise money in order to provide food and other resources for people locally and around the world.

Who walks?
Anyone who wants to contribute their time to help support those in need! Many Carrboro and Chapel Hill religious communities, businesses, schools, non-profit agencies, and other local organizations have CROP Walk volunteer "recruiters" who help recruit walkers. You can talk to a recruiter for more information, or contact us to become one.

When?
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. Registration for walkers begins at 1:30pm.

Where?
Carrboro Town Commons/ Farmer's Market (301 W. Main St.)

How?
Participants begin by inviting their friends, businesses, organizations, and employers to sponsor them with contributions prior to the four-mile walk. Then, bring your money, pets, friends, children and anyone else to the Walk to enjoy this great community event. Students can also receive Service Learning hours by participating!

Who Benefits?
Church World Service, established in 1946, distributes 75% of the money to global hunger education, refugees, disaster relief, and self- help projects in more than 80 countries. The remaining 25% stays in Carrboro-Chapel Hill area to support the IFC's hunger-relief programs. Last year, over 550 walkers participated to raise slightly more than $60,000. About $15,000 went to support the IFC's hunger-relief programs:

Emergency Food Pantry (110 W. Main St., Carrboro)
and
Community Kitchen (100 W. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill).

See http://www.ifcweb.org/services.html for more information about these programs.

Sounds great! How do I start?

• 1a. Want your group to walk? You can request a packet of information or for someone to come speak to your group. Check out http://www.cropwalk.org/walkweb.html and create a group profile, just like a Facebook/MySpace profile. Just tell members of your group to tell their sponsors to log onto that website and donate directly to your group. Have a competition with like-minded organizations!


• 1b. Or, each person in a group can have his/her own envelope to collect money the old-fashioned way.


• 1c. Bring the whole crew to Carrboro Town Commons on Sunday, March 22, and enjoy! There's no minimum amount you have to collect to walk! Just come!


• 2. Individually? Sure! You can create your own profile at http://www.cropwalk.org/walkweb.html and people can sponsor you the same way. OR, do it the old-fashioned way with an envelope.


• 3. Can't walk, but still want to give? Go to http://www.cropwalk.org/walkweb.html and sponsor the IFC Striders. That's the group for IFC clients and residents who are participating in the walk. The CROP Walk involves everyone in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro community.

Useful Information:

For any questions or assistance please call: Shannon Gigliotti at 929-6380 ext. 20 or cropwalk@ifcmailbox.org

2009 CROP Hunger Walk Fact Sheet

2010 CROP Hunger Walk Map (will be updated closer to the date)

2010 CROP Hunger Walk Approved Parking (will be updated closer to the date)

CROP Walk Income History (with bar graphs)

Photos by Jackie Helvey

Thanks to all of our 2009 sponsors!

The Episcopal Church of the Advocate

Binkley Baptist Church

Carrboro United Methodist

Chapel of the Cross

Christ United Methodist Church

Church of Reconciliation PC (USA)

Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist

North Carolina Hillel

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry

Judea Reform Congregation

Chapel Hill Kehillah

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Newman Catholic Student Center Parish

Orange United Methodist Church

St. Paul's AME Church

St. Thomas More Catholic Church

United Church of Chapel Hill

Univeristy Presbyterian Church

University United Methodist Church

1360 WCHL

The Chapel Hill News

Chapel Hill Sportswear

Proforma

The Herald-Sun

The Third Heat

Old 86

UNC Health Care

Evos

UniqueOrn Enterprises

Thanks to all who participated, sponsored and volunteered for the 2009 CROP Hunger Walk! Please continue to bring in your contributions to John Dorward (919) 929-6380, ext. 14, Finance Director, at 110 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510. Thanks for helping to fight hunger locally, domestically and abroad.