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September 2004 |
Hoosiers active participants in alleviating world hunger
By Molly Hunteman
INDIANAPOLIS - When Charles Lynn sells programs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May and at the Indiana State Fair in August, he does more than just distribute booklets. He reaches out for community involvement in a program that he full-heartedly supports. CROP WALK is the local fundraiser of United Methodist-related Church World Service, raising food and money for hunger needs both in local communities and around the world.
Year after year Lynn has taken an active role in the Greater Indianapolis CROP WALK, never letting his cerebral palsy get in the way of his goals. In fact, he is one of the top three walkers for CROP in the country. Last year he raised $45,000 without asking for any sponsors from Southminster Presbyterian Church where he attends. While he does have a few racing teams who support him, most of his sponsors are everyday people he meets while selling programs.
The Indianapolis walk is just one of the around 50 CROP WALKS that take place around the state each year. This interfaith fundraiser has been inspiring United Methodists and many others to not only raise money and canned goods for the hungry but also to become more educated on world hunger related concerns for the past 35 years.
Maurice Yoder, Olive Mennonite Church of Wakarusa, has also gained notable sponsorship for the Elkhart walk. He was fourth in the nation for pledges in 1997. Although he is no longer able to participate in the walk itself, he continues to be the top fundraiser in Elkhart every year. As the food pantry supervisor of Church Community Services for many years, his participation comes out of a first hand knowledge of hunger needs and of the impact CROP WALKs can make in a community.
25th anniversary
October marks the 25th anniversary of the first Indianapolis CROP WALK. United Methodist Annabel Hartman will have walked in all 25. She also has consistently been one of the top fundraisers. She passed this passion on to her son, Howard Hartman, who is now the regional director of CROP WALKs in Texas.
Unlike other fundraisers that use walks, CROP WALKs find purpose and educational opportunities with the walk itself. Judy Dunson, Indiana and Kentucky regional director and Indianapolis walk coordinator, told Together, "One day out of the year we are walking in accompaniment with the rest of the world that has to walk everyday (for food)."
Many of the walks also have an experiential aspect to them. Border guards may be found blocking paths and demanding bribes. Other walks might have sections to be completed barefoot or gallon jugs of water that need to be carried to the next water stop. Dunson said, "It offers people an opportunity to do more than just raise money."
Last year 2.2 million people nationwide either walked, volunteered or sponsored a walker to raise nearly $16 million to feed and protect those around the world. Indiana and Kentucky together raised $450,000.
Walkers like Lynn and Hartman know that it's not just about an act of service. As the motto of CROP WALK says, "We walk because they walk," and since we eat, they need be given a chance to eat, too.
Molly Hunteman serves as summer intern for the Indiana Area Communications office. She is a member of the Mooresville United Methodist Church.
Last updated on 08/23/2004