2011 Shreveport-Bossier CROP WALK FAQ
Q: What is the CROP Walk?
A: A sponsorship walk organized nationally by Church World Service and locally by committees of people concerned about hunger in their own communities.
Q: What does CROP stand for?
A: When the first CROP walk was held in 1947, it stood for Christian Rural Outreach Program. It's primary mission at the time was to help farmers in the Midwest share their grain with hungry people in post-World War II Europe. Over the years, the program has expanded and changed and some have proposed that Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty might be a good alternative, however, mostly the name CROP is now thought of as a name instead of an acronym.
Q: Where does the money go?
A: All of the money that walkers raise goes to fund hunger relief projects. The money is split between local hunger relief projects in the community of the walk (25%) and the international projects of Church World Service (75%). Individuals can also request that their donations be dedicated to another international humanitarian organization instead of CWS. The Shreveport-Bossier walk is dedicating the local portion to the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank.
Q: How can I give to another international humanitarian organization instead of CWS?
A: Simply indicate the name of the organization online or on the walker form and Church World Service will send your donation to that organization. Below are some popular options, but you are not limited to only those on this list:
ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency)
AFSC (American Friends Service Committee)
AJJDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee)
BWA (Baptist World Aid/Baptist World Alliance)
CARE
CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship)
CRWRC (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee)
HI (Heifer International)
HOPE (Project HOPE)
IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities)
LWR (Lutheran World Relief)
MAP (Medical Assistance Program)
MAZON
MCC (Mennonite Central Committee)
NCM (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries)
OI (Outreach International)
SBIMB (Southern Baptist International Mission Board)
UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee)
WR/NAE (World Relief/National Association of Evangelicals)
AFSC (American Friends Service Committee)
AJJDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee)
BWA (Baptist World Aid/Baptist World Alliance)
CARE
CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship)
CRWRC (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee)
HI (Heifer International)
HOPE (Project HOPE)
IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities)
LWR (Lutheran World Relief)
MAP (Medical Assistance Program)
MAZON
MCC (Mennonite Central Committee)
NCM (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries)
OI (Outreach International)
SBIMB (Southern Baptist International Mission Board)
UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee)
WR/NAE (World Relief/National Association of Evangelicals)
Q: Where can I go to find out more about the local walk or about Church World Service?
A: Visit www.sbcropwalk.com for more information on the local walk and www.churchworldservice.org to find out more about CWS.
Q: If all of the money raised goes to mission funding, how are the costs of the walk paid for?
A: Individuals, congregations, and local business can choose to sponsor the walk to pay for the organizing cost of the event (city permits, t-shirts, posters, signs, etc). Depending on the level of their support, sponsors can get their name and logo on the T-shirt given to each walker.
Q: When and where is the 2011 Walk?
A: The 2011 walk will begin at Noel United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 6. Registration will begin at 2:30pm and the walk will begin at 3pm. The route will go through the Highland neighborhood and pass several sites supported by the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank.
Q: How can my organization get involved?
A: Attend the recruiter meeting at Noel United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 18 at 3pm to find out more and to pick up walker forms, brochures, posters, bulletin inserts, and other materials.
Q: Who can I contact if I want to be involved but I can't attend the recruiter meeting?
A: Contact Rachel Scott at Noel United Methodist Church at 221-5207 or sbcropwalk@gmail.com.
Q: It is called a the CROP Walk but I am a runner, can I run instead?
A: Absolutely, this year we have asked the city to close off the streets so that people can go their own speed. Runners can even register ($20) through Sportspectrum and receive a prize if they are among the top 3 men or women to complete the 5K.
