C.R.O.P. walkers (and rockers) needed

CROP Walk greeters from 2021 are ready at the starting line at Manchester United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy Lon Nordeen.

submitted by Anita Herman, C.R.O.P. Walk Committee

The red and white banners have been hung on the posts lining Manchester’s Main Street bridge; it’s time for the annual Manchester Area C.R.O.P. Walk!

The 2022 C.R.O.P. Walk will be held Sunday, October 2. Registration begins at 1pm at the Manchester United Methodist Church; the walk begins at 1:30pm. Walkers are needed! Participants may choose to complete a one-mile trail or a three-mile trail around the community. Those unable to walk the distance may choose to rock for an
hour; rocking chairs will be provided under the portico of the church. This is a family-friendly, (leashed) pet friendly and fun filled event.

Twenty twenty-two marks the 28th year members of local congregations will gather on the first Sunday of October to raise money to fight hunger here in Manchester, across this country and around the world. Manchester residents started walking for C.R.O.P. back in 1995 under the leadership of Laura Sutton. That year, 182 walkers raised just
over $9,000 or nearly $50 per walker. Last year, 38 walkers raised $5,663 – nearly $150 per walker! The goal this year is to enlist 50 walkers (including rockers) and raise $7500. When that goal is reached, $1,875 will support food assistance programs offered by the Manchester CRC, Manchester Family Services and the Manchester Area Senior Citizens Council. Anyone associated with or touched by one of these food programs knows how
important having ready access to needed nutritious meals can be.

Folks interested in walking and/or rocking on October 2 to reduce hunger may sign up individually or join a team online: crophungerwalk.org/2022/event/manchestermi.

Supportive friends and neighbors may make a financial contribution by using the same address. Local churches, including Bethel UCC, Emanuel UCC, Manchester UMC, Sharon UMC and Zion Lutheran, have their own C.R.O.P. coordinator. For more information, contact Anita Herman at 734-945-5663.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.