Karen S. Kim
NORTHWEST GLENDALE -- Most of them had probably never felt the deep
pang of hunger that comes from not knowing where their next meal is
coming from.
Most of them had probably never felt the nausea and dizziness that
comes from not having eaten in days.
And most of them had probably never experienced how delicious a warm,
cooked meal can taste to them after they've been hungry for so long.
But on Sunday, more than 200 local residents knew what it felt like to
walk for the benefit of others.
Glendale's CROP Walk, a 5K walkathon to raise money for local,
national and international charities who aim to stop hunger, brought 237
men, women, children and senior citizens dressed in hats, shorts and
sneakers Sunday to Glendale's Incarnation Catholic Church.
"It's our way of doing something about hunger here in our community
and in the world," said walker Marsha Hagen, 64.
The walk kicked off in the parking lot of Incarnation at 1001 N. Brand
Blvd., snaked around Glendale and ended at North Glendale United
Methodist Church at the corner of Glenoaks Boulevard and Pacific Avenue.
"It's astounding in a county as wealthy as Los Angeles, there's still
6% of the population that goes hungry during the year," said Rep. Adam
Schiff (D-Glendale), who participated in the walk with his wife, Eve, and
daughter Alexa. "We don't think there's hunger around us, but there is."
The organizers were hoping to raise $25,000 through the walk this
year, beating last year's total of $21,000. Of the money raised, 25% will
go to five local charities: Catholic Charities' Loaves and Fishes, the
Salvation Army's food programs, Glendale Adventist Medical Center's food
pantry, Food for Body and Soul and Glendale Community College Food for
Thought.
The remaining 75% of funds raised will go to the national Church World
Service CROP office in Indiana.
By late Sunday, $17,000 had been raised, but the final deadline for
donations isn't until March 13.
Mayor Gus Gomez, who helped kick off the event, said it was good to
see the 17 local religious organizations and churches that turned out to
walk together for the cause.
"I think we have to make sure we don't forget charity for our own
residents here, and I think this is a great way to do it," said Gomez,
who helped kick off the event. "This is good because it's for a good
cause, and it brings the community together."
CROP Walk Coordinator Evy Horigan agreed.
"CROP Walk is a community effort, it's an interfaith effort, and it's
a really good way to bring people from all walks of life together to show
solidarity," Horrigan said.
