Why I Walk

In this age of polarization, there are very few things we can agree on, but some things transcend politics. One of those things is the right of all people, especially children, to have consistent access to food and clean water.

It’s not that we have a lack of these things. Instead, it’s a problem of resource allocation. And not just in places far away from Charlotte. As a matter of fact, nearly one in four NC school children are food insufficient, meaning that they aren’t sure where their next meal will come from. There are neighbors right here in Mecklenburg County that don’t have access to clean water, nor do they have consistent access to supermarkets that offer the fresh produce and clean foods that children (and adults) need to thrive.

Again, it’s not for lack of these things. Rather, it’s because of an indifference to waste and resource allocation.

The annual CROP Hunger Walk of Charlotte, NC (and others like it around the country) provides much needed awareness to the issues surrounding global and local hunger. And it gives us a tangible way to help.

We’ll walk nearly four miles, the average distance that persons in underdeveloped areas walk for clean water. While walking, we’ll converse with other people of faith, and see how our neighborhoods are interconnected. Signs and statistics will dot our walk, reminding us of how, where, and when people are affected by hunger. Our walking will raise money to provide food, build wells, and help secure other necessary infrastructure to underserved areas of our globe. And a large portion of the proceeds will help neighbors at home.

But CROP Walk’s success isn’t just about miles walked or dollars raised. It’s about sustaining intentional behavior to eradicate hunger. When we know where our food comes from, how and to whom it’s distributed (or not distributed), and the affect of our food practices for our neighbors, we become more empathetic, more pro-active, and more determined to be good neighbors – neighbors who feed the world, not hoard its food.

Please come and join us on Sunday 10/20, as we walk to help end hunger. You can sign up to walk or donate to the Sardis team here: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/charlottenc/SardisBaptist

If you can’t walk or donate, please consider ways you might become informed about hunger issues in our community, and use the knowledge you gain to help steer your prayers and conversations.