Area residents will again have an opportunity to join in the fight against world hunger through the Pella CROP Walk Sunday, Oct. 9.

The walk starts at 2 p.m., beginning and ending at the Tulip Toren on the Pella town square. The full course extends 5,000 meters but participants may walk any distance they choose. Walkers seek pledges for hunger relief donations. Water and popsicles will be provided to all walk participants.

Donations can be made online at: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/team/pella-crop-hunger-walk-team

Area churches, groups and individuals are encouraged to join in the walk and help raise funds. For information and participation materials contact Stephen Fyfe at fyfes@central.edu or (641) 628-5305.

The CROP Walk is sponsored by Church World Service, an ecumenical organization that supports a variety of charitable initiatives. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to hunger relief and community development projects at the local, national and international levels. And 25% of the donations are allocated locally, helping support the Pella Community Food Shelf.

In addition to providing financial support, the walk also is intended to raise awareness of the need for hunger relief. More than 1.02 billion people worldwide are undernourished and each day, 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes. Hunger and malnutrition are the top risks to global health, killing more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

Nearly $8,000 was raised in Pella in 2021. Since 2002, Pella-area residents and churches have contributed more than $230,000 for those in need.