'We Walk Because They Walk'

“We walk because they walk” is the rallying cry of CROP Walks nationwide, a reminder that people suffering from hunger often must walk miles to secure basic sustenance.

It was also the reason cited by many Moorestown CROP Walk participants, who took part in the town’s annual fundraiser Sunday. Organized by eight local churches, the walk raises money to benefit organizations that fight hunger here and internationally.

Kelly and Lorenzo Eagles took part in their third walk as a family this year. They explained to their children, Kaitlyn, 6, and Luke, 5, why the family participates—and it’s clear the lesson has sunk in.

“So many people have to walk a long way away for food,” Kaitlyn said. “So that’s why we do this.”

The walkers couldn’t have asked for better weather for their Sunday trot, which started and ended at the First United Methodist Church. Walkers chose between a 1-, 3- or 5-mile route that looped through town and past the lake on the longer routes.

Walkers of all stripes turned out. The Eagles pulled their children in a wagon for part of the walk, and were joined by teens, families and elderly people alike.

With 90 walkers participating, Moorestown’s CROP Walk raised about $7,500. Some of that money will be donated locally to places such as Good Samaritans and that offer food donations and other basic services. The rest will go to Church World Service to support grassroots organizations fighting hunger internationally.

“Hunger is something that impacts us all, even in this community,” said Linda Toepel, chair of the outreach committee from . “People would be amazed at the number of people in a place like Moorestown that suffer from hunger.”

That lesson is something Mae Trebing wishes more Moorestowners would take note of. She has seen CROP Walk participation drop, she said, but hunger remains a serious issue here and internationally.

“The more money raised, the more stays locally,” said Trebing, who organized the  contingent. “The need just never goes away.”