CROP Walk collects 15,189 for world's poor

YOUNGSTOWN -- The CROP Walk for Hunger, sponsored by Mahoning Valley Association of Churches, collected 15,189 this year.
Poland Presbyterian Church and its 47 walkers took first place and raised 4,246. The church will display the CROP Walk trophy until next year's event.
Zion Lutheran took second place with 43 walkers and raising 3,102; and Girard First United Methodist Church, third place with 11 walkers and 1,099.
The walk, which was Oct. 8, began and ended at Trinity United Methodist Church. About 200 people from 17 churches participated in the five-mile route that started on Front Street and included Wick and Crandall parks.
Where does it go?
The money will be sent to Church World Service to support hunger-related programs throughout the world. Of the total collected, 25 percent will be returned to the community by way of checks to Protestant Family Service, Catholic Charities and Fish Samaritan.
The CROP Walk is a tradition on the second Sunday in October. Next year's event will be Oct. 14. The Rev. Joyce Lawson is CROP Walk coordinator. For more information, contact her at (330) 799-5318.