Press release:
Walk with your Highline neighbors on May 1st as the Des Moines CROP Walk kicks off its 22nd year of CROP Walking to end hunger. Enjoy walking with neighbors and friends from Highline Community College (Global Health class) and six churches. We walk in solidarity with those who are hungry here and around the world. Each walk committee designates 25% of their funds to stay locally. The funds we raise help the Des Moines Area Food Bank, as well as the hungry in 80 countries.

Church World Service is the hunger-fighting agency that directs the funds. Because CWS is already working with local communities & partners around the world, they are usually the first to arrive at the scene of a natural disaster. For over 65 years CWS has provided disaster relief and long-term recovery for war-torn countries, flood and earthquake victims, and refugees. CWS works with local community groups to address their needs: literacy, education for girls and women, safe water, agriculture and job skills. Yes, CWS is working with 32 local agencies in Japan right now.

Highline's first CROP Walks involved more than 20 churches/organizations & a choice of 5 or 10 miles to walk from North Burien along First AVE S through Burien and Normandy Park to Des Moines (DM Gospel Chapel or DMUM). Participants were bused back to the starting point. We appreciated Pastor David Herwick's organizing skills for the first 9 years. 1999 was the start of the Des Moines CROP Walk that involved half the number of organizations. Lake Burien Presbyterian and St. Francis Catholic Church organized a couple fall walks. All these walks have raised nearly a quarter million dollars to combat hunger!

Registration and sign-in for the May 1st Des Moines CROP Walk at the Des Moines U Methodist Church, 22225 9th AVE S, is at 1:15 pm. The full walk is 4.5 miles. To donate or learn more, find the Des Moines CROP Hunger Walk online at www.cropwalk.org. For further information on the Walk email Marilyn at mjhoff43@clearwire.net.