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If you happen to be chronicling the history of social service programs in Spokane Valley, you should probably start with a church at the corner of Main and Raymond.
In 2005, the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church celebrated 100 years in the area, a time that has seen the congregation launch erstwhile programs such as Meals on Wheels and the Valley Food Bank. These days, the church continues its charitable mission, sponsoring a refugee family from Liberia, providing food for local shelters and donating supplies to organizations like Court Appointed Special Advocates which protects abused and neglected children.
On the last Wednesday of each month, the church coordinates a free soup and salad luncheon featuring a presentation on themes ranging from arthritis treatment to overviews of local nonprofit causes. On April 20, pancakes will be part of the agenda as a fund-raising breakfast will be held on behalf of the CROP Hunger Walk later this month.
Madeline Bafus has been helping with the walk for the past 10 years. She said the event brings churches throughout the area together for a worthy cause.
“There are something like 37 denominations that support the walk,” Bafus said.
“You have people from the Baha’i, Jewish and Christian faiths working together to fight against hunger.”
The idea for CROP – Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty – started at the end of World War II when American troops began distributing surplus grain and other food to people throughout Europe devastated by the conflict. An organization called Church World Service now facilitates the program, supplying countries across the world – including the U.S. – with food and other necessities. In cases of draught and famine, as well as natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the organization is there to provide shelter and nourishment.
The concept of the fund-raising walk came about in 1947 to bring awareness to the plight of those who travel by foot for miles to obtain food and water. The first CROP walk in Spokane took place in 1979.
“We walk because they walk,” Bafus said. “We are the hands and feet of Jesus.”
One-quarter of the money raised from the event will go toward local efforts such as Second Harvest, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Meals on Wheels with the remaining amount supporting causes across the world.
Over the years, the numbers of walkers and the amount of funds have seen a general increase. A total of 474 walkers raised just over $12,000 in the event’s first year. In 2007, the turnout of walkers was down to 308, but the event generated over $35,000 – a new record.
Sylvia Barney of Millwood Presbyterian Church, one of many volunteers who help coordinate the event, said the walk is a way for people to give back.
“If your heart is touched by the problems around the country and around the world, this is one way you can help,” she said.
For Maurice Smith, executive director of Feed Spokane, providing nutrition for less fortunate residents is a full-time job. Established nearly three years ago as an organization that collects and distributes excess food from local restaurants to those in need, Feed Spokane now works with 22 establishments including Arby’s and Papa Murphy’s to provide food to places like Union Gospel Mission.
Smith went on a 44-day fast earlier this year to raise awareness about the theme of hunger. The fast included little more than evening soup.
“It helped get the issue on the radar screen,” Smith said.
Smith said that events like the CROP Walk serve a valuable purpose in helping the general public realize that the problem needs to be addressed.
“It gets the message out that there is a hunger issue in our area,” he said.
Residents can also volunteer at local food banks, help with programs like Meals on Wheels or start their own food drive, Smith said.
“Once you make people aware of the problem, hopefully their next question will be, ‘What can I do?’” Smith said. “If everyone does a little bit, it will help out a lot.”
Want to find out more?
To learn more about the CROP Hunger Walk, call 891-1045 or visit www.churchworldservice.org. To find out more about Feed Spokane, call 570-3951. Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond, will host a Stop Light Benefit Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, April 20, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 924-7262.
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By
Craig Howard
