Sunday CROP Walk Raises $30K to Fight Hunger Locally and Around the World

More than 300 volunteers raised an estimated $30,000 to combat hunger during Sunday's 10K CROP Walk through Farmington and Farmington Hills. 

Many who started out from in downtown Farmington were first-timers. But some, like Farmington Hills residents John Sheppard and Pat Bradley, have attended the annual fundraiser for more than 20 years. Sheppard said he has done walks in Farmington, Dearborn, Flat Rock, Northville and Novi. 

"I just think it's a good cause," he said as he walked east on Grand River with Bradley and their friend Irwin Moyna. "It's fun. It's a way to help the community." 

He said his wife, Leah, is also a long-time walker, and their four children – now grown and gone – volunteered as well.

Bradley said he has been walking since the first local CROP Walk was organized. He has video of that first walk and said he has kept with it for a simple reason: "To help the hungry."

Rev. Mary Biedron, pastor at , said she has been coordinating the walk for the past 11 years and works with dedicated volunteers, including arrangements coordinator Earl Hagen. The CROP Walk sponsoring organization Church World Services told Biedron that the Farmington area walk is unique, because support from local businesses and congregations covers the cost of t-shirts, printing and all other expenses.

"Everything that is raised today goes for hunger relief around the world," she said, "and twenty-five percent comes back here."

Participating churchs and organizations are: , , , First United Methodist Church of Farmington, , /B’nai Israel,, , , , , , , , , and Yad Ezra.

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