THANK YOU Walkers!

A big “thank you” goes out to everyone who helped with last Sunday’s CROP Hunger Walk. Whether you walked, donated money or food, helped on the day of the walk with set-up, music and sound, refreshments, accounting, or cleanup; or whether you supported the April Fools concert with your donations and attendance (a HUGE thank you goes out to Dianna, Molly, and Steve for their generosity and wonderful talent!) – each one of you helped our local food pantries and people around the globe. The Walk involved ten Ventura churches and organizations as well as many individuals. This community pledged $15,356.00 as of Walk Day – many of these pledges have not yet been turned in and historically, much more will be donated in the next month. If you have not yet turned in your walk envelopes or would still like to donate, it’s not too late. Please see your recruiter or drop off your donations at the First United Methodist Church office as soon as you can.
Photos of the walk and the concert will be posted in a few days - in the meantime, here is a photo of one of our four-footed walkers at the end of the walk :-)

Today's the Day!

Hunger Walk 2010 has arrived and the day is going to be perfect for walking! Walkers, please remember to come by 12:30 in order to check-in and get the information you need. If possible, please turn in your envelopes with your sponsor's donations. If you have not yet collected them all, just bring the top sheet of your envelope and turn in the money as soon as you can. Whatever we raise before the end of April will help get us a bigger check from the Alan B. Feinstein Foundation's Million Dollar funds to fight hunger.

Not walking? How about clicking on the Online Fundraising link on the left side of this page. Locate the Ventura walk and choose a walker to donate to. You may use your credit or debit card and Church World Service will send you a donation receipt. If you wish to donate cash or a check, make your pledge to a walker you know in order to deliver the check to them.

This year we are offering both a 5K and 10K walk, so come and join us!

Concert Fundraiser for CROP on April 18th

Besides walking and supporting walkers, people have another way to fight hunger in Ventura and around the world - a week before the CROP Hunger Walk! Please click on this image for details!

New Route(s) in 2010

This year walkers can choose between a 5K and 10K walk and everyone will get a slightly different route from recent years. (Click on the map to enlarge it.)
The biggest change is that we will NOT walk down Sanjon and through the State Park and Pier areas. Instead, from the church parking lot, we will follow Thompson and cross down California before we follow the beach Promenade. Those wishing to finish sooner will be able to cut over to Mission Park and come through Downtown Ventura and back to the start in about an hour.

New CROP Hunger Walk Videos

This is partly why we walk: to support Church World Service in their efforts. (75% of money raised goes to Church World Service or any organization a donor chooses to designate from a long list of partner organizations.)
(There are seven videos attached to this clip - just move your mouse over the lower portion of the image to switch to a different video.)

We also walk because 25% of what we raise through the Ventura walk stays in Ventura, supporting food pantries run by Project Understanding and Catholic Charities, meals served by Family to Family, and FoodShare.

Learn Why We Walk

This Sunday, February 21st, we are holding our Ventura CROP Hunger Walk Kickoff. This is a great opportunity to learn where the money we raise goes and how it is utilized. Julie Brumana, Director of the California/Southwest region of Church World Service, will be there to update us on the latest efforts to fight hunger and poverty, as well as their disaster relief work in places such as Haiti. Walk fundraising and publicity materials will be available and tips on how to recruit walkers and sponsors - in person and online - will be shared.

Please join us at 1:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
5654 Ralston St., 93003

Questions? just use the email link or call 658-7446.

Great Job in 2009; Get Ready for 2010!

Thanks to all who walked, donated, or volunteered last year, the total amount raised came to $23,042.65 - great work, everyone!

Planning has begun for the 2010 Ventura CROP Hunger Walk and we can use your help. A small group got together in November to set the date for the walk as well as a couple of vital meetings. If you want to help put on this annual city-wide fundraiser, please plan to attend the first of two organizing meetings later this month:

- Organizing Committee meeting #2 of 3
Friday, January 29, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
First United Methodist Church
1338 E. Santa Clara St., 93001

- Recruiter Kickoff:
Sunday, February 21, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
5654 Ralston St., 93003

- 2010 Ventura CROP Hunger Walk:
Sunday, April 25th, begins at 1:00 pm
(Begins and ends at 1338 E. Santa Clara St. 93001)

Please print and share this Flyer

If you have any questions, please use the email link or call the number on one of the flyers.