2009 CHURCH WALK BENEFITS HUNGER

Parishioners of more than 20 area churches will be doing their part to raise awareness and donations in support of world hunger relief in an annual walk through La Grange and Western Springs this weekend.

The 26th Annual Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty Walk, scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, will kickoff at First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave.

Walkers will step off at 1:45 p.m. -- rain or shine -- at First Presbyterian, then go south on Catherine, to Elm Avenue and down to Goodman Avenue in La Grange, then westbound to Howard Avenue in Western Springs and up to Burlington Avenue for a midpoint restroom break at Western Springs Baptist Church.

The walk will then continue down the south side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks to Gilbert Avenue, then back to Elm and up Catherine to the host church -- where an ice cream social will be held in the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall.

Teams include walkers from Christian Reformed Church of Western Springs, Emmanuel Episcopal of La Grange, First Congregational Church of La Grange, First Presbyterian of La Grange, First UMC of La Grange, First UMC of Western Springs, Grace Lutheran of La Grange, Lyonsville Congregational Church in Indian Head Park, Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, St. Barbara in Brookfield, St. Cletus in La Grange, St. Francis Xavier in La Grange, St. John Lutheran, St. John of the Cross in Western Sprin8gs and Western Springs Baptist Church.

Since 1984, the walk has benefited Church World Services' world missions and six local food pantries to the tune of more than $520,000 in donations, by forming teams and seeking contributions both in-person and online. To date, the walk has raised more than $5,000 from online donors alone.

Last year, the walk attracted 274 participants and raised $31,260. This year, the goal is more than 300 walkers and $35,000 in pledges from walkers and local businesses which are serving as sponsors.

Walkers are allowed to bring dogs, as long as they are on leashes and the owners have pooper scoopers at hand.

With the donations it receives, Church World Services will fill the need for housing in New Orleans four years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the region and people in Northwest Pakistan displaced by fighting between Taliban insurgents and the Pakistan military.

While most of the money raised will be given to Church World Services, 25 percent of it will be equally divided between the area food pantries, at Lyonsville and St. Barbara's, as well as First Congregational Church of La Grange, St. Francis Xavier in La Grange, St. Cletus Roman Catholic Church in La Grange and Second Baptist Church, also in La Grange.

A prize giveaway will be held featuring gifts and gift certificates from local businesses such as Competitive Foot, Blueberry Hill, Kirschbaum's, Hillgrove Cellars, Casey's Market, Oberweis, Totally Bored and the La Grange Theater.

Individuals or groups can register for the walk or make donations at LaGrangeWesternSpringsCropWalk.org.