Begun in 1969 in Bismarck, North Dakota, as a way to raise money for hunger relief, CROP WALK has grown dramatically over the years. In recent years some 2,000 communities across the U.S. sponsor these walks to help support the overall ministry of Church World Service, especially the grassroots, hunger-fighting development efforts of partner agencies in more than 80 countries.

On April 20th, 2002, after 14 months of planning, Bellevue's first CROP WALK was held. Beginning and ending at 1st Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 200-300 participants walked the 3.5 mile route through downtown Bellevue (or the shorter "Golden Mile"). Since 2002 this CROP Walk has raised approximately $95,000 to help alleviate hunger around the world. The 7th Annual Bellevue CROP Walk is planned for Sunday April 27, 2008, beginning and ending at Bellevue First Congregational Church, at the corner of 108th Avenue NE and NE 8th Street in Bellevue.

75% of the money raised was donated to Church World Service. 25% came back to Bellevue and was split evenly between Hopelink and the Emergency Feeding Program.

Planning for the Bellevue Walks has been an ecumenical effort by members of several local congregations with help from Church World Service. It is our hope to expand the breadth of participation to include folks from many more faith traditions--Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and others. Church World Service, Hopelink, and the Emergency Feeding Program serve people of all faiths, or no faith, without discrimination. They help people simply because they have a need.

When we participate in CROP WALK we "walk with the world".