Registration Open For Vienna's Annual Walk To Fight Hunger

VIENNA, VA – Vienna will hold its annual walk to raise money to fight hunger later this month.

The annual CROP Walk, which raises money for local and international hunger relief programs, will be held on Sept. 27 at 12:30 p.m. at the Emmaus United Church of Christ.

CROP Hunger Walks are community events used to raise money for Church World Service, a faith-based organization that fights hunger around the globe, in addition to providing disaster relief and refugee and migrant services. Three-quarters of the money raised through local CROP Hunger Walks goes to CWS, with the remaining 25% directed to local hunger initiatives.

Funds raised through the Vienna walk will support the local volunteer nonprofit the Committee for Helping Others.

The walk route is approximately 2.4 miles and takes about an hour to complete, organizers say. A shorter walk is available. Local churches and other organizations form teams and support water stations and relief stops.

There is no fee to register for the walk, but participants are encouraged to donate or find sponsors to donate.

CWS says the Crop Project began in 1947 when farmers were asked to donate food and seed crops to post-World War II Europe and Asia. The first CROP Hunger Walks took place in Bismarck, ND, in 1969 and York, PA, in 1970. Since then, CROP Hunger Walk events around the country have raised millions of dollars, according to organizers. As of Monday, CWS reported more than 1,600 teams registered and more than $1.2 million raised.

Organizers of Vienna’s walk say the town has held a CROP Walk since at least 1995 and has raised over $448,258 for hunger relief efforts. Members of local churches, organizations, businesses and local government often participate.

The walk will begin at Emmaus United Church of Christ at 900 Maple Ave. in Vienna at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 27. Walkers can register here.