Local residents stretched their legs and opened their wallets Saturday to help feed the hungry.

Sunday, June 03, 2001

Local residents stretched their legs and opened their wallets Saturday to help feed the hungry.

About 40 people walked more than 5-miles, strolling down the city’s streets while donating their energy and money to feed the hungry across the globe.

As of Saturday morning, walkers were able to raise over $3,000 for the CROP WALK charity, said Steve Nierman, the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran church in Ironton. He said the total amount was still being figured and people could continue to donate to the humanitarian effort.

Nierman explained that 75 percent of the money raised will go to feed those in foreign countries. The remaining money will be spent locally, to provide funds for three food pantries in the city – The Ironton City Mission and the pantries at First United Methodist Church and Central Christian Church.

Nierman explained many groups and churches helped sponsor the event, including St. Paul Lutheran Church, St. Joseph’s Church and Bartram and Son’s Grocery, who provided cookies and bottled water to the walkers.

Nierman said this year marks the fifth anniversary for the county’s CROP WALK which is sponsored by the national Church World Service.

At the national level, more than 2.5 million walkers join together in their communities to participate in the CROP WALK program.