Crop Hunger Walk participants go 3.2 miles in another’s shoes

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

BERTRAM — As Marcie Masterson trekked during a previous Crop Hunger Walk, she developed a whole new appreciation for the annual fundraiser.

The Crop Hunger Walk — marking its 15th year in Bertram on April 26 — benefits the Church World Service, which receives 75 percent of the money raised. The remaining quarter is given to local food pantries. Participating walkers receive donations from family and friends before the event.

“Ninety percent (of the people the walks serve) have to walk to get water and grow crops by hand with very few wells,” Masterson said.

To put in perspective those families’ struggles to get water, Masterson said some teens decided to carry one- to five-gallon jugs of water while doing the 3.2-mile walk one year.   

“One kid made it the whole way,” she said.

The local event is being conducted by the Bertram Ministry Alliance, and Masterson serves as its secretary.

Registration for the event is 4 p.m., and the walk begins at 4:30 p.m. The start and finish lines are at Bertram First Baptist Church, 325 S. Gabriel St.

Pick up information and donation envelopes at the church’s business office 8 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday. There isn’t a fee to walk. And a driver with a truck and trailer will transport people who can’t walk because of medical issues along the course.

“We encourage them to start gathering pledges as soon as they get the envelopes,” Masterson said.

Call Masterson at the church office at (512) 355-2167 for more information.

jfierro@thepicayune.com