Westborough Hunger Relief Effort Reaches 37th Year

A 37-year Westborough tradition supporting hunger relief may see a wider range of community support this Sunday.

The 37th annual CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Congregational Church of Westborough, on West Main Street. The proceeds will benefit hunger relief agencies across the globe, with 25 percent going to the local food pantry. 
 
"The big change this year is a real push by myself and the other coordinator, Mr. Alan Hutchinson, to solicit support from both the interfaith and town community to support CROP," said Claire Gitkind, one of the coordinators.

"I've sent e-mails to churches and synagogues, to local media, to the principal and vice principal at the high school, and hope that members of the sports teams will participate as well.

"You don't have to sign up ahead of time.  You can show up the day of the walk at 12:30 p.m. at the Congregational Church on Sunday with a donation of $25 or more and walk.  

"Each year, the numbers have decreased in terms of walkers.  I'm not sure why. Since it benefits hunger relief organizations around the globe, I think it is a perfect way for Westborough to come together as a community and help out.

This interview was conducted by e-mail.

Westborough Patch
What is this year's fundraising goal?

Claire Gitkind
Our goal this year is $10,000.  Over the past five years, we seem to hover between $4,000 and $6,000.  Twenty-five percent of that money goes directly to our food pantry, so the more we raise the more we directly help people in need in our community.

Westborough Patch
What is the walk's route?

Claire Gitkind
The route is around four miles, and there are sidewalks almost the whole way.  

It begins at the Congregational Church and follows West Main to the rotary, right on South Street, right on Mount Pleasant, across Ruggles to Valley Brook, Bream, left on Eli Whitney, and then right back onto Main Street, ending at the church.  

It really is a pretty course.  The trees are full of color.  Lots of people walk it with their dogs or younger children. We asked for a police presence, and there will be signs marking the course.

Westborough Patch
What draws people to participate?

Claire Gitkind
I see a lot of the same people every year.  Many are walking to support and bear witness to hunger relief.  A lot of high school kids have community service time to think about and this helps to reach that goal.  

I know people who do the walk realize what a nice event it is and return again the next year. I hope groups of people decide to do it.  My mom is going to ask her book group to walk together.

Westborough Patch
How does the walk complement the other hunger awareness activities in Westborough?

Claire Gitkind
I think CROP dovetails nicely with what the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and post office do to raise awareness for the food pantry and its needs.  But CROP takes it one step further by asking that people look beyond the borders of their town to the many, many people ...really a majority...who don't have access to clean water or food and need our help.  That is where CROP is important and vital.