The annual Snoqualmie Valley CROP Hunger Walk, held Sunday, May 18, was a huge success. This year was dedicated to the memory of Bill Melton, who brought the international fight against hunger campaign to the Snoqualmie Valley 15 years ago. More than $6,600 was raised and $1,650 will be donated to Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank.

The CROP Walk planning committee and the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank would like to thank everyone who participated, including the following business sponsors for their support: Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center for their space and assistance with the walk; Snoqualmie Ridge Family Dental; Jeff Warren State Farm; Snoqualmie Valley Eye Care; Aahar Indian Restaurant; Kirby Nelson Orthodontics; Eric J. Opsvig DDS; Down To Earth Flowers and Gifts; Hearing Enterprises (Scott’s Dairy Freeze); Pioneer Coffee; Chaplins North Bend Chevrolet; North Bend Bar And Grill; Peak Sports and Spine; The Bindlestick; Cascade Dance Academy; Snoqulamie Ridge Veterinary Hospital; Ana’s Family Mexican Restaurant; Safeway; QFC; Blue Valley Meats; and Birches Habitat. The walk’s planning committee included representatives from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, Snoqualmie United Methodist Church and Mount Si Lutheran Church.

Success has many measures. We had an extra-special walk day experience this year, because there was a combined worship service at the Meadowbrook Interpretive Center before the walk, which was beautiful, collaborative and conveyed the true meaning and value of our efforts of time, talent and treasure and how they truly make a difference in the lives of people thousands of miles away.

We were not able to do our annual car wash because of damage to Les Schwab with the recent explosion, but we more than made up for that with the generosity of local and even non-local businesses (Blue Valley Meats is out of Walla Walla). Linda Velebir and I spent countless hours pounding the pavement reaching out to businesses and following up. We have to be persistent. I am pleased at the partnerships we’ve been forming with some of the businesses, who know what we are doing and generously support us each year. Going door to door and talking with them, sharing the cause with them has made a difference. We reached out to some new businesses this year and were pleased to bring on new donors. Ideally, we would love to see some of the businesses have their own teams of walkers each year—they could wear their business T-shirts and show solidarity with those in need. The walk distance is three miles—chosen because the average distance a person in need in the world has to walk each day to get food, water or to their work.

What can locals do to continue to help? Support our local food banks with volunteering, food donations and financial contributions. Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank receives 25 percent of money earned from CROP Hunger Walk and they participated by “manning” the water station.

Also folks can be involved with other charity organizations like World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, St .Vincent De Paul, who give an absolute ton of aid and assistance for local people. Many churches have their own organizations and projects. Your paper highlights so many of the causes and projects. What is really called for involves a mindset and heartstrings! Putting yourself in the shoes of someone else, and caring enough to take the next steps to make a difference with your actions and pocketbook.

Kathy Golic

North Bend