The modern phrase "think globally, act locally" will be evident this weekend as approximately 30 area residents take part in the annual Crop Walk.

Organized by Church World Services, the Crop Walk is an effort to bring attention to and raise money to combat hunger around the world.

The Rev. Wayne Young, pastor of First United Methodist Church, said 25 percent of the money raised will go to help local food pantries. The rest will be used for various projects worldwide that seek to feed people, educate them about farming and provide necessities such as drinking water wells.

Young said the Crop Walk is also an Christian expression of love and caring.

"The Bible admonishes us to help people where we can. In the New Testament, it says that if you see a man who is hungry and you say 'God bless you' but you give him nothing, you haven't done much," Young said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for us to do something. We see so much on television about hunger and poverty and we often think that we'd like to do something (to help). Well, this is an opportunity to help."

In addition to Young's congregation, churches taking part locally are St. Paul Lutheran Church, Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, the Ironton Catholic Community, First Presbyterian Church and the Ironton City Mission.

Young said, in the past, the local participants have raised $5,000 or more each year. The goal this year is $6,000.