Hunger walks making strides in local communities

Monroe — Two local groups are sponsoring hunger walks during October to raise money for the area’s food banks. On Saturday, Oct. 8, at 10:30 a.m., the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley will host its ninth annual Walk to Fight Hunger. This pre-Halloween costume walk will take place at the Walkway Over the Hudson. Costumes are optional. The registration form can be printed from the Food Bank’s Web site at www.foodbankofhudsonvalley.org. Walkers can also sign up on the day of the walk at the registration table on the Highland side of the Walkway beginning at 10:30 a.m. Participants can support the Food Bank by having co-workers, friends and family sponsor them for the walk. Walkers will receive a tee shirt designed by local artist Franc Palaia for a contribution of $25 or more. Refreshments and food for participating walkers will be provided. The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley provides food to more than 370 feeding programs in six counties in the Hudson Valley, including Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Dutchess, Putnam and Rockland. Last year the Food Bank distributed more than 10 million pounds of food. Every $1 donation provides four meals to a person in need. For more information, call Toni Gutter or Jessica Bell at 845-534-5344. Monroe CROP Walk Closer to home, the Monroe CROP Hunger Walk will take place for the fifteenth year on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. The walk will begin at the Monroe United Methodist Church at 47 Maple Ave. The CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk’s purpose is to raise funds for the relief of hunger both in Monroe and throughout the world. Organized locally, the Monroe CROP Hunger Walk has set a goal of 125 walkers and hopes to raise $12,000. Last year, approximately 100 walkers raised about $8,000. A portion of the funds raised will go to the food pantries of Monroe, Woodbury, Chester and Washingtonville. Another portion of the funds will be used by Church World Service to aid victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters in the United States. Japan is among the places CROP Hunger Walks are helping. Many Japanese citizens are still struggling to recover from the recent 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami. “We are just a few of the 2 million CROP Walkers, volunteers, and sponsors that take some time to help end hunger and poverty around the world,” said Monroe CROP Hunger Walk Coordinator, Fred Schuepfer. “It’s a good feeling to be part of something so large and positive.” For more information, call Schuepfer at 845-782-8386.