More than 800 million people in the world go hungry each year, according to statistics from Church World Services.

Saturday, approximately 20 Ironton area residents made an effort to ease the pangs of want and deprivation here and abroad.

The goal of the 10th annual Ironton Area Crop Walk was to raise $5,000 through pledges promised to participants who agreed to walk a five-mile trek through the streets of Ironton.

“This is an opportunity for us to help deal with the problem of world hunger and at the same time help local food pantries,” said Dr. Wayne Young, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Ironton.

Young said 25 percent of the money raised locally will be returned to Lawrence County food banks.

Crop Walk is sponsored internationally by Church World Services. According to information from the organization’s Web site, more than $264 million has been raised by Crop Walk events worldwide in the past 20 years.

Young said local participants usually reach their $5,000 yearly goal.

The Ironton-area effort draws participants from several different denominations. Young said the Crop Walk is an opportunity for those who love God to show that love to fellow people in need.

“People need to know if they consider themselves part of the body of Christ, then Christ through us today is still reaching out to the poor, and the hungry and the lost,” he said.