Post Walk Press Release

      

                               

                               

                           

   

This year’s annual Red Bank CROP Hunger walk was blessed with sunshine and 70 degree weather! Walkers and volunteers  numbered between 800-900 possibly more as all came out to take steps to end hunger in our local and global communities. This year's goal of collecting 8,000 pounds of food for our 17 local partners was far surpassed! Monmouth County supporters of CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) set their own goal and brought 11,000 pounds of food which was sorted and distributed by students from CBA on the day of the walk. 

The cash and checks in the registration envelopes was counted the day of the walk and counting continues as walkers finish collecting pledged money before returning completed envelopes. We have made great progress towards reaching our goal for this year. On line donations increased from last year and are already over $13,000 Donations are still being accepted by mail and on line. As soon as we have more specific information on the total funds raised so far it will be posted.

DJ John Limyansky played music to add to the lively atmosphere as walkers registered, bought hats, t-shirts, and wristbands. After a blessing by Pastor Terrance Portor of Pilgrim Baptist, long time walkers and volunteers with as many as 25 years involvement each were honored at the ribbon cutting for the start of our 30th Red Bank Area CROP Hunger Walk.

We had a few new activities this year. Our Teen Leadership Committee decorated t-shirts to showcase the work done by our 17 local hunger fighting programs. About 20 athletes from Brookdale Community College took up the Lug-A-Jug Brigade and walked all 5 miles carrying 8 lb. gallon jugs of water. We walk in solidarity for those millions of people worldwide that have to walk miles each day for water, food, fuel and to go to school and to jobs. Our water stops were manned by volunteers that served water and cheers to walkers during their 5 mile walk through Little Silver, Fair Haven and Red Bank. Elmo the Red Monster and Snow White joined Short Stop the Clown to cheer on the walkers.

Walkers enjoyed ice cream and crispy delicious apples when they returned to Red Bank Regional High School. The day was successful due to the efforts of all the many volunteers that kept everything moving smoothly for walkers to enjoy the day while they walked to make a difference in the lives of those facing the extreme burden of hunger and poverty in our world