This year’s Crop Walk – a national effort to feed the hungry – will take place in Ironton on June 2.

Monday, May 14, 2001

This year’s Crop Walk – a national effort to feed the hungry – will take place in Ironton on June 2.

Walkers young and old have a few weeks left to raise donations before gathering at Moulton Field at Iron Trails Park for the fifth annual Crop Walk, sponsored by Church Women United and the Ironton Area Ministerial Association.

It’s a wonderful time, and a wonderful help to so many, said Pastor Stephen Nierman, who helps organize the event each year.

Last year, walkers raised about $6,200, he said.

Many years ago, Catholic sisters in Ironton organized such walks but Nierman cannot recall the details. Like then, today’s walks focus on a sometimes overlooked part of society – the hungry, he said.

It got started with the idea to build systems that work, Nierman said.

Like the adage, if you want to feed a person for a lifetime then teach him to fish, Crop Walk helps poor countries develop their food production and assist villages around the globe survive natural disasters, as well as organize food pantries and donations.

Cropwalkers provide relief and development assistance to more than 80 countries, and help to pantries across the United States.

They have helped in Minnesota communities ravaged by recent flooding, and 25 percent of the money each group of walkers raise stays local, Nierman said.

In Ironton, half of that 25 percent will go to the food pantry at the First United Methodist Church. One quarter will go to the Ironton City Mission pantry and one quarter will go to the Central Christian Church pantry.

"It’s a wonderful cause and especially so considering it wouldn’t take but a little effort to help keep someone from going hungry," Nierman said.

To participate, talk to the pastor of your neighborhood church, or just come by Moulton Field on June 2. The walk registration begins at 8 a.m. Walkers will start walking at 9 a.m.

To find out more about Crop Walk, you can also contact Church World Service at 1-888-CWS-CROP, or point your Internet browser to www.cropwalk.org