With so many federal policy changes happening rapidly in recent months, you may be asking yourself, “what can I do?”
Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program went into effect in September, rolling back provisions for hungry families in our community. People of faith across the country are responding to increasing food insecurity by remembering the Biblical call to love our neighbors and feed the hungry.
Locally, we have a long tradition of supporting food pantries and that need is even more urgent this year.
The 39th annual Rockford CROP Hunger Walk will take place Oct. 19 to help neighbors facing hunger around the block and around the world.
Across the United States, reductions to key safety net programs — including SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and the Child Tax Credit — are pushing more families to seek help from community food programs. At the same time, the withdrawal of U.S. foreign assistance has shuttered lifesaving services abroad, leaving organizations like Church World Service to keep vital food, health, and shelter programs running in refugee and crisis-affected communities.
“The abrupt halt of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the freezing of foreign assistance will have dire consequences for many of the communities where CWS is at work,” said Jon Skogen, National Community Event Manager at CWS. “These policies will leave a vacuum in critical services. In some locations, CWS will be the only organization providing humanitarian assistance. The annual CROP Hunger Walks raise significant funds which are a critical foundation for all the work at CWS.”
Here in Rockford, the CROP Walk has raised over $1 million since its inception with over $250,000 going back to local pantries in the city.
CROP Walk matters more than ever this year because it helps local food banks meet the rising demand created by SNAP cuts, supports global hunger and relief programs left in crisis by USAID’s withdrawal, and stands as a public witness that communities will not abandon the vulnerable.
We strongly encourage people to donate as generously as they are able.
More information is available at crophungerwalk.org, where you can search for the Rockford event and join a team or make a donation.
Even as we remain committed to advocating for policies that care for all of our neighbors, we know we must step up now to meet this urgent need. As Jesus says in the gospel of Matthew, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Rev. Violet Johnicker, executive director of Rockford Urban Ministries
Rev. Frank Langholf, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Rockford
Rev. Julane Nease, United Lutheran Church, Rockford
Rev. Martha Langford, Second Congregational Church/First Presbyterian, Rockford
Rev. Caleb Hong, Christ United Methodist Church, Rockford
Rev. Dr. Stephen Bowie, Third Presbyterian Church, Rockford
Rev. Calvin Culpepper, Court Street United Methodist Church, Rockford
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford CROP Walk matters more than ever this year | Opinion
Reporting by Violet Johnicker / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
