Breakfast meeting will help organize CROP Walk

CASH TO HELP THE HUNGRY- John Gorham, director of Manna, the Conejo Valley food bank, receives a portion of CROP Walk 2007 proceeds from coordinator Sherrill Hyink.

Many walkers will rally to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Conejo Valley CROP Walk. The acronym stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. This year's event takes place on Sun., March 9 at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

Registration is at noon, and the Walk begins at 1 p.m. Registration will take place at the Lundring Event Center, which is connected to the new Sports Center north of Olsen Road. Parking is ample, and the walk will begin by crossing the foot bridge over Olsen Road.

There are two versions: a fourand a six-mile community walk.

An 8:30 a.m. orientation breakfast for group representatives or individuals is scheduled for Sat., Jan. 26 at St. Patrick's Church, above the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library off El Monte Drive.

Attendees should contact Sherrill Hyink at (805) 4923674 so that she will have materials ready.

Many religious groups, school groups and clubs are regular participants in this yearly event. Funds are raised by each walker soliciting donations for his or her walk.

There are more than 2,000 CROP Walks throughout the year in the United States. CROP Walk revenue helps Church World Service and its work in more than 80 countries worldwide. Money raised helps people dealing with natural disasters, hunger, famine, displacement and poverty.

However, 25 percent of what's raised during the Conejo Valley CROP Walk comes back to support five local charities: Manna Food Bank, local Meals on Wheels, Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Charities.

Last year more than 400 walkers generated more than $49,000 to help desperate people throughout the world and here at home. Money was spent on blankets, health kits, education, food, water and other necessities.