CROP NEWS RELEASE
The Los Alamos CROP Hunger Walk & Turkey Trot will take place on Sunday, Nov. 23 this year to help neighbors facing hunger around the block and around the world. With recent cuts to federal nutrition, healthcare, and humanitarian aid programs, organizers say this year’s Walk is more urgent than ever. The planning team hopes to surpass their goal this year of 100 Walkers and $10,000 raised. A portion of funds will support L.A. Cares Food Pantry here in Los Alamos, with the balance supporting CWS (Church World Service) hunger and relief programs in the U.S. and worldwide.
“Because of all the government cuts, we appreciate any support to help with the purchase of food and necessities for our monthly distributions at L.A. Cares. Currently, our numbers in this county are approaching 100 households per month, all of whom are experiencing food insecurity. We thank the generous citizens of Los Alamos County for their ongoing support of L.A. Cares, and we hope that you will consider joining us in the Hunger Walk on Nov. 23.” (Lyn Haval, President of the L.A. Cares Board of Directors)
Across the United States, reductions to key safety net programs – including SNAP (“food stamps”) and Medicaid – are pushing more families to seek help from community food programs. At the same time, the withdrawal of U.S. foreign assistance has shuttered lifesaving services abroad, leaving organizations like CWS to keep vital food, health, and shelter programs running in refugee and crisis-affected communities.
“The abrupt halt of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the freezing of foreign assistance will have dire consequences for many of the communities where CWS is at work,” said Jon Skogen, National Community Event Manager at CWS. “These policies will leave a vacuum in critical services. In some locations, CWS will be the only organization providing humanitarian assistance. The annual CROP Hunger Walks raise significant funds which are a critical foundation for all the work at CWS.”
What the CROP Hunger Walk makes possible
- Here at home: Funds help stock local food pantries and meal programs, support refugees and newcomers facing hunger, and bolster agencies strained by increased need following cuts to federal nutrition and health programs.
- Around the world: Donations sustain emergency food assistance, healthcare access in refugee settings, climate-smart agriculture, and long-term solutions that strengthen food security when public funding is withdrawn.
How to participate
- Register/Donate: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwalks/event/losalamosnm
- Form a Walk Team: Faith communities, schools, clubs, and businesses are encouraged to walk together. Runners too can participate.
- Can’t walk? Donate or sponsor a Walker or runner; every step and dollar helps.
Last year, 108 Walkers and Runners raised over $ 9,250 through the Los Alamos CROP Hunger Walk & Turkey Trot. One quarter of that went to LA Cares. Organizers hope to surpass that total this year to meet the growing need.
About CROP Hunger Walks
For more than five decades, CROP Hunger Walks have united neighbors of all faiths and backgrounds to raise funds and awareness to end hunger. Walks support local hunger fighting partners and the global work of CWS.
About Church World Service (CWS)
CWS is a global humanitarian and development organization working with communities to end hunger and poverty, respond to emergencies, support refugees and asylum seekers, and build a more just world for all. Learn more at cwsglobal.org.