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Bay Area CROP WALK Events Walk to Defeat World Hunger!

Berkeley, Sept. 30 - We Walk Because They Walk! People can make a world of difference by helping those in need here in the Bay Area, across the U.S. and in more than 80 countries worldwide by walking in a Church World Service CROP WALK. CROP WALKS will be held around the Bay Area in October, including:

October 3 - Contra Costa County CROP WALK, Walnut Creek Civic Park, 1:00 p.m. registration and walk October 17 - East Bay CROP WALK, First Congregational Church Oakland, 1:00 p.m. registration, 2:00 p.m. walk October 17 - Pleasanton CROP WALK, Lynnewood United Methodist Church, 1:00 p.m. registration and walk October 24 - Golden Gate Hunger WALK (San Francisco), Crissy Field, 1:00 p.m. registration and walk October 30 - Petaluma CROP WALK, Walnut Park, Time TBA

Walks start and end at local parks or churches and can range up to 10K in length. Families, dogs, strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons are allowed. Walkers can invite sponsors to donate in person and through the online donation page. Individual walkers may register on the walk day.

Each year friends and neighbors, churches, and school groups - across the U.S. join in nearly 2,000 local community organized, interfaith CROP WALKS to support the worldwide programs of Church World Service in partnership with local organizations around the globe.

75% of the funds raised go towards projects such as: sheltering families and communities affected by disasters - such as the recent hurricanes in Florida; aiding refugees - such as in Sudan/Darfur Region; supporting sustainable self-help development - such as helping organize schools, building homes and training entrepreneurs in Afghanistan; as well as addressing the root causes of poverty and powerlessness around the world. Individual Sponsors can designate their 75% to any agency which is a member of USAID!

25% of the funds raised stay within the local community. This year, local agencies supported by the CROP WALKS in the Bay Area include: STAND Against Domestic Violence and Meals on Wheels (Contra Costa Co.); Alameda County Food Bank (East Bay); Petaluma Peoples Services Meals on Wheels (Petaluma); Open Heart Kitchen (Pleasanton); and the San Francisco Food Bank (San Francisco).

Interested organizations or individuals can get involved by calling Church World Service at (510) 848-7024, toll free at (888) 297-2767, or by checking out our website at: www.churchworldservice.org or www.cropwalk.org .

Media Contacts: Marijke Fakasiieiki, CWS/Northern California/Northern Nevada, 510-848-7024 Ann Walle, CWS/New York, 212-870-2654