A long line of walkers is expected to be seen between Smokey Bear Park and Ranier May 6 for the local Crop Walk.

The May 6 event will help raise funds for the Falls Hunger Coalition and Salvation Army, with remaining funds supporting Church World Service and other designated international agencies for relief and development programs.

The goal of the local walk this year is to attract more than 144 walkers and raise more than $7,100. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will be split between the Falls Hunger Coalition food shelf and the Salvation Army.

“The more we raise, the bigger the percentage that goes to the local food shelf and Salvation Army,” said Pat Norby, one of the organizers.

Last spring, a Crop Walk was held indoors at the Rainy River Community College, said Norby.

“We didn’t quite get the participation we were hoping for, so we’re bringing it back to the outdoors,” she said of the May 6 event.

Norby said the community has conducted 12 CROP Hunger Walks in this area, since the first one in 1994. That was started by then Rev. Tom Aitken of First Lutheran Church. There has been a decline in the number of walkers over the recent years which led to trying walks in different seasons.  

“Spring does seem to be the best time; everyone is ready to get out after a long winter and the scenic walk on the bike trail to Ranier covers an easy terrain,” said Norby.

In November of 2011, a group met from various churches to determine if there was interest in having an ecumenical effort to hold an area CROP Hunger Walk in 2012. From that initial meeting a planning committee was formed.

The following churches are participating: Bethany Lutheran, Evangelical Covenant, Faith United, First Lutheran, Holy Trinity, Littlefork Lutheran, and the Salvation Army.

“We want to stress, however, that the Falls Area CROP Hunger Walk is a community event and all are encouraged to participate.  The more we raise not only fights global poverty and hunger through Church World Service, but 25 percent of the amount raised stays here in Koochiching County to assist our local hunger relief agencies — Falls Hunger Coalition and the Salvation Army,” said Norby.

Registration for the event begins at 2 p.m. May 6 at Smokey Bear Park. At 2:30 p.m., walkers will leave the park and walk to Ranier and then back. The walk totals 6.2 miles.

To participate, contact a participating organization or church for a donation envelope and additional information. People may also contact Norby at 283-4113 or First Lutheran Church at 283-2208.

Walkers seek donations from family, friends and coworkers. Donations can also be sought by going online to www.cropwalk.org and clicking the “sign up” button. Click on Minnesota on the U.S. map and scroll down to the list of CROP Hunger Walks to the International Falls Hunger Walk. Click on “International Falls” and follow directions. Emails can be sent to people anywhere in the world who can donate to the cause.