Martha’s Vineyard CROP Hunger Walk-a-thon

October 1-18, 2020

In this time of COVID, the needs of hungry people around the world, in our nation, and on Martha’s Vineyard are so much greater now– the pandemic has threatened the decades-long advances against hunger everywhere. The Island Food Pantry and food banks everywhere are seeing significant increases in their use, and COVID-19 has the potential to double the rate of extreme hunger around the world. Over the course of our first 29 years, the MV CROP Hunger Walks have raised $533,407 to benefit the poor and hungry around the world and on our own island.  In 2019, we raised $34,764, our best fundraising effort ever. In this time of COVID, we need to raise even more! With such tremendous need in the world, we MUST walk! We just need to be creative in HOW we walk. For the 30th anniversary of the MV CROP Walk, we will be “walking together apart.” We invite you to walk and raise money for hungry people wherever you are, for whatever distance you want, and in whatever way you want – walk, run, bike, kayak, dance! 

• When do we walk?
  Anytime you like, between October 1 and 18.

• Where, and how many miles do we walk?
  Anywhere! For as long as you wish. In whatever way you wish: walk, run, bike, kayak, dance! And, always, PLEASE be safe, wear masks when necessary, and maintain social distancing.

• Who do we walk with?
  Alone, with a friend or a group.

• How do we register?
  We encourage walkers to register online at https://www.crophungerwalk.org/marthasvineyard. For help, contact Libby Fielder at mvcropwalk@gmail.com or 703-424-3968. If you wish to avoid computers, contact Woody Bowman at 508-958-7058.

• How do we raise money?
  If you register online, you may also set up a home page through CWS CROP at our homepage: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/marthasvineyard, and your donors can go to that page to give. If you register offline, you may collect money directly from your donors. For those of you with Facebook pages, Facebook is now offering fundraising capability with no fees attached! We suggest you do both methods, if possible.

• How do we submit the money we have raised?
  Online donors’ money is automatically routed to Church World Service. For checks and cash donations, a collection day will be announced.

• How is the money used?
  Twenty-five percent of the funds we raise will benefit the Island Food Pantry and the Vineyard Committee on Hunger in their services to the Island. The other funds will be used by Church World Service in the U.S. and globally for emergency food supplies, agricultural training, livestock, wells and pumps, farm seeds and farm equipment.

Follow us on Facebook for updates, photographs from walkers, and for general information, both about this eighteen-day Walk-A-Thon and on hunger issues generally. Together we can help end hunger in our community and around the world!