Hunger Walkathon West CROP Walk
Ending Hunger one step at a time
Walkathon West is a peer-to-peer fundraising event organized entirely by volunteers in Oak Park. The CROP Walk brings the community together across party lines, faith traditions, and economic status to stand united in a belief that hunger is a solvable injustice.
At the CWS 80th anniversary celebration in New York City on October 28, 2026 a documentary film created about the CROP Hunger Walks in the U.S. was shown. It includes some of the people who make the Hunger Walkathon West CROP Walk so impactful each year in Oak Park, Forest Park and Melrose Park.
Below is a little bit of our history, who receives the funds, and how the funds are being used each year.
Early in the 1980s, some members of Oak Park's Second Presbyterian Church (since closed) formed a group interested in hunger issues. They met weekly in homes for simple soup suppers, and to address hunger issues and solutions. They soon transferred their membership to First United Church of Oak Park, where they continued to meet with the encouragement of the church staff. In about 1983 they were approached by Janet Young, Regional Director for Church World Service (CWS), to start a local CROP Walk to raise funds to alleviate hunger. 75% of total funds return to CWS for national and international relief and development programs. Learn more about CWS. The remaining 25% remain local benefiting these agencies.
The Impact of the Walk
Since our inception we have raised over $2 million to support local agencies in our community and around the world. Walkathon consistently ranks in the top 10 of over 500 walks nationally. See the 2024 CWS Annual Report.