A rally for the CROP walk, which is intended to collect funds to help relieve world hunger, is being held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Newman Catholic Center.

The rally is for all campus leaders or individuals who wish to participate in the walk. Sponsor sheets, brochures and posters will be distributed.

The rally is intended to encourage those who are interested to walk and to recruit others.

Virginia Noe, volunteer publicity chairman for the walk, said the CROP walk consists of 10 kilometers and may be one of the oldest walks which collects money for hunger.

The participants in the walk are required to get sponsors to make pledges or donations for every kilometer walked. The money then is collected after the walk.

The CROP walk is sponsored by Church World Service for International Relief Development and Refugee Settlement Agencies. The agency consists of 32 protestant and orthodox organizations in the United States.

According to Noe, the hunger relief started in the rural Midwest when farmers donated corn to be sent overseas.

In 1969, it progressed into a walk. The walk occurs throughout the U.S. in the fall of each year.

Noe said last year the walk raised more than $16,000 for hunger. This year the goal has been set at $16,000. Seventy five percent of the money raised is distributed outside of DeKalb.

Twenty five percent stays in DeKalb and is distributed to the DeKalb County Food Pantry, the F.O.O.D program, and the S.H.A.R.E program.

In last year’s walk, some 35 churches and organizations participated. This year as incentive to collect pledges, free T-shirts are being given to walkers who collect $100.

The walk will be at 2 p.m. on Oct. 10. The walk will begin at the Newman Center.

“I hope we make our goal this year because, despite our efforts, the need (hunger) seems to grow,” said Jean Evans, co-chairman of the walk.

For more information, contact Terry Beers at 758-6667.