The fifth annual UB Crop Walk kicked off Sunday afternoon with dozens of participants ready to stroll down the Amherst bike path, raising money to combat hunger.
Sponsored by the Campus Ministry Association and Vive La Casa, a community organization in Buffalo, the event consisted of a five-mile walk down the bike path. Gail Riina, Crop Walk coordinator, made sure participants started the walk with a healthy fruit snack and a positive attitude.
"This year's emphasis is UB walking together for peace against hunger," Riina said. "We are trying to do something for other people, while bringing our people together in the process."
According to event organizers, nearly 50 students attended this year's Crop Walk as well as many other citizens of the community.
Twenty-five percent of this year's funds will go towards the co-sponsor and refugee organization, Vive La Casa, and the other 75 percent will go towards world hunger.
"It prides me to know that all of the money we are raising is going towards a wonderful refugee organization, as well as combating hunger," said Seth Pond-Weimer, a junior chemical engineer major.
"It was a great turnout this year. It's wonderful to see so many people coming together to raise money to combat hunger," said Shelley Imbs, a senior communication major.
The Crop Walk is an international event, with UB's walk just one of twelve taking place in Western New York this year. The Campus Ministry Association said they wanted this year to be special in correspondence with our present world events.
"Political leaders often use religion to put barriers between people and to use fear of their differences and faiths to separate them," she said. "We are trying to do the exact opposite here, bringing together all religions, to focus on our differences as a positive thing."
Riina also added that an average of 60 percent of the world population has to walk up to two miles to get clean water.
"I really want to put an emphasis on how many people of our world really do have to go out of their way just for clean water," she said. "Today we are walking in solidarity for those people."
A sweet after-walk snack awaited hungry crop walkers as they neared the end of the bike path.
Sean Seege, a junior chemical and biological engineer major, said he enjoyed the beauty of the walk.
"The sun is out, it is a beautiful day in Amherst, and all these people are here together, for the same purpose, to combat hunger and raise money for those in need," Seege said. "What a perfect day just for that."
