Southern Utah residents are invited to lace up their walking shoes and join the 16th Annual St. George Area CROP Hunger Walk, set for Saturday, Nov. 8 at Larkspur Park in Bloomington Hills.
Sponsored by the St. George Interfaith Council, this annual community walk raises funds to combat hunger both locally and around the world through Church World Service. Since its first event in 2009, the St. George walk has raised nearly $96,000, with 25 percent of proceeds staying local to support programs such as Solomon’s Porch’s Friday Pantry and Sunday Feast.
Last year’s walk broke all previous records, raising $10,764—surpassing the 2011 record of $8,109.
“Solomon’s Porch will serve nearly 20,000 meals this year, mostly to the elderly, poor, and homeless,” said Pastor Jimi Kestin of Solomon’s Porch. “We’re not a soup kitchen; we serve restaurant-quality meals and build relationships with the people we help. Our goal is to find out why they’re struggling and connect them with services that can change their lives.”
Registration begins at 9:30 AM, with opening remarks from the Interfaith Council, St. George Mayor Michelle Randall, and Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli starting at 9:45 AM. Walkers can choose their distance, with the full 6-mile route representing the average daily distance people in developing countries walk to access food, water, and work.
This year, the first 100 walkers will receive a CROP Walk wristband. Four comfort stations along the trail—each hosted by a local church—will provide snacks, water, and encouragement.
“We’re hoping to exceed last year’s record and build on our community’s tradition of generosity,” said Larry Shurtliff, Interfaith Council Secretary.
The event’s success is made possible by generous sponsors including B & D Mac Holding Co., Ernie’s Stores Inc., New Wave Homes, David Ipson, and Simister Orthodontics, among others.
Donations can be made online at events.crophungerwalk.org/saintgeorgeut.
For more information, contact Chris Schleter at 435-619-2843 or cschleter@gmail.com.
