The overcast skies and bleak weather didn’t discourage Ramona Matthews from coming out to the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service’s 26th annual CROP Hunger Walk Sunday to fight global and local hunger.
“Hunger goes on whether it’s raining or cold,” said Matthews, a volunteer for the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service and a member of the CROP walk committee.
The CROP walk, which is the council’s largest fundraiser, stretches four miles and begins and ends at the Carrboro Town Commons. Walkers also have the option of a one-mile route.
Last year, the event generated $47,000 that was donated to hunger relief efforts, but estimates of this year’s proceeds weren’t available Sunday.
A quarter of the funds raised from registration fees go to local hunger relief programs and the remainder is given to Church World Service, which sponsors the event and supports hunger relief efforts worldwide.
Mary Catherine Hinds, associate regional director for Church World Service, said there is a 75-25 split because of the greater need that exists globally.
“We realize that though there is need here, but globally there is no safety net,” she said.
Still, town leaders emphasized community needs at the CROP walk.
“Even in the richest county in North Carolina, we have unacceptable levels of poverty,” said Aaron Nelson, president and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.
