CROP History

1946

Church World Service (CWS) was established with 17 denominations working together to fight hunger.

1947

CROP (Christian Rural Overseas Program) began, growing out of the fields of middle America, in response to the needs of hungry and suffering people in post-World War II Europe and Asia. CROP's original mission was to collect food commodities -- primarily grain -- and ship them overseas, using trains, boats, and eventually planes.

From its inception, rural grain canvasses were the lifeblood of CROP fundraising.

1947-51

CROP was jointly sponsored by Church World Service, the Catholic Rural Life Conference, and Lutheran World Relief.

1952

CROP reverted to Church World Service, its original sponsor.

1969

The first CROP Hunger Walk was held on October 17 in Bismarck, ND, raising $25,000 with a thousand people walking 25 miles.

With much success, CROP Hunger Walks gradually replaced the rural grain canvasses for fundraising.

1970's

With a shift from a rural agricultural focus to a suburban/urban base, CROP became simply the Community Hunger Appeal of Church World Service.

1991

CROP Hunger Walks raised more than $3 million for local food banks.

1993

The first Burke Area CROP Hunger Walk was held on November 21, 1993. Sixty-three walkers raised $1,582.

1997

By 1997, participation in the Burke CROP Hunger Walk had increased to 270 walkers and the money raised was up to $10,870.

2003

As of the 11th Burke Area CROP Hunger Walk, walkers had raised over $106,000, with over $26,600 going to local hunger fighting efforts.

2007

In its 15th year, Burke Area CROP Walkers raised $20,216 to feed the hungry in the local area and around the world.

2011

A record year for the Burke Walk: approximately 280 walkers raised $24,534, with over $2,700 going to local hunger fighting efforts.

2012

The Burke Area CROP Hunger Walk celebrated 20 years of neighbors in local communities coming together to make a positive difference to people in need, both near and far.

2013

Another record-breaking year for the Burke Walk!! Some 370 walkers raised over $39,000, with over $9,700 helping hungry people in our own local community.

2015

By its 23rd year, Burke Area CROP Walkers had raised over $400,000, which enabled thousands of people to take hold of their own lives and futures, filling them with a sense of possibility and promise.

2016

Neighbors in Burke and surrounding communities continued to do amazing things -- raising a record $42,071 for the Burke Walk with over $10,500 helping local neighbors in need.

2017

A milestone year for our local Burke/Fairfax CROP Hunger Walk!! Walkers celebrated their commitment of coming together as a community for 25 years to improve the quality of life of people suffering from poverty and hunger and raised over $32,000.

2019

CROP Hunger Walk's GOLDEN YEAR! 50 years of walking. 50 years of ending hunger together. Because teens and their communities in North Dakota and Pennsylvania cared 50 years ago, millions of people around the nation have since responded and helped to raise more than $1 billion to end poverty and hunger -- at home and around the world. Read The History of the CROP Hunger Walk for more details.

2020-2021

With the world facing the COVID-19 pandemic, CROP Hunger walks became virtual for these two years. Faith groups and individuals participated in whatever way was best for them -- some walking alone or in small groups, others simply donating. With these virtual walks, our local Burke Area CROP Hunger Walk continued to make a positive difference to people in need, both near and far, by raising a two-year total exceeding $56,000.

2022

Thankfully, the Burke Area CROP Hunger Walk was able to celebrate its 30th year with community neighbors walking together again, in person, as one voice raising awareness for the millions of impoverished people who cry out but are not heard. Walkers raised over $32,000, with over $8,000 supporting local neighbors in need.

2023

Last year 236 walkers raised $31,496 which means that more than $665,000 funds have been raised in 31 years.

2024

To be announced.

In the Last 30 Years

• More than 7,500 CROP Walkers from Burke/Fairfax and surrounding areas raised over $600,000
• $150,470 of that 30-year total helped to fight hunger locally