Walking to end hunger

This Saturday, volunteer walkers will be trading miles for grain as part of an annual fight against world hunger.

From 1 to 4 p.m., UB Crop Walk will kick off its sixth straight year at the UB Clock Tower. The event, sponsored by UB Campus Ministry Association, is one of about 2,000 crop walks that will be held nationwide.

"Many times people who are hungry have to walk miles for food and water every day," Pastor Gail Riina said, a coordinator for the UB Crop Walk. "We are walking in solidarity with them."

According to Riina, such events collectively raise over $16 million each year and go directly towards providing food aid and safe drinking water to areas that do not have such necessities.

A quarter of the collection, about $4 million, is given to local communities. Buffalo's Hearts for the Homeless will receive 25 percent of the money raised by the UB Crop Walk. The rest will be donated to other charitable organizations. Riina also pointed out that sponsors can choose to send their donations to any approved international hunger fighting agency.

"It's a great time to walk and think about life," said Jayce Grefrath, a senior civil engineering major and past participant. "You become more thankful for what you have. It's a chance for me to take a time-out from hectic college life and realize how lucky I am."

This will be Grefrath's third time participating in the crop walk.

According to Riina, UB raised $1,300 in donations last year. Each year, anywhere from 30 to 100 people participate in the on-campus event. Walkers start at the Commons and follow the bike path before returning to the starting point.

This year is the first time the event is on a Saturday, as opposed to a Sunday afternoon. Pastor Riina expects a larger turnout since it is on a day that is more convenient for students and the local community.

Grefrath also said that the walk provides a great opportunity to go out and become involved with other community members.

"The people at the crop walk are very amiable. It's a great time to meet new people and talk to them," he said.

Pastor Riina agreed that the event is one that brings people together.

"It's a place and time in which students, faculty, and staff of many different beliefs can help," she said. "They can share conversation as we walk through the campus bike path."

The goal is for each walker to raise $100, though participants should not worry if they are unable to reach it in donations. Pastor Riina asks that the money be turned in by Nov. 1.

"The best way to build community across every divide is to come together to do something for someone in need," said Pastor Riina.

Those who are interested in the Crop Walk but cannot participate in this Saturday's event can go to www.cropwalk.org to make a donation or for more information.