To raise money for hunger relief, Westminster Presbyterian Church is spearheading DeKalb County’s annual Crop Walk.

Organized through Church World Service, community churches of all denominations and sizes participate.

A crop walk is an event in the spirit of other charity walks, in which participants raise money through donations to combat hunger locally and worldwide.

Loreen Stravers, a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church who has been involved with the walk for three years, said Church World Service does a fine job.

“In third-world countries, they have to walk to get food [and] firewood; they have to walk to exist, so we walk because of that,” she said.

DeKalb County has supported the walk for more than 50 years. The 3.1-mile walk begins at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Road.

Of the money raised, 25 percent will stay within the community and be donated to local charities.

This year, the local share of the money will go DeKalb and Sycamore food pantries, Hope Haven and Meals on Wheels.

In 2003, the walk raised between $20,000 and $25,000 for the cause, with 20 congregations participating, Stravers said.

Registration for the event begins at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Westminster Presbyterian Church at 756-9205.