Annual CROP Walk to Stop Hunger is Sunday in Norman

Registration is set for 1:30 p.m. at Food & Shelter Inc., 104 W Comanche. The three-mile walk-a-thon will start at 2 p.m. and wind through tree-lined streets and the University of Oklahoma campus. Walk teams include churches, businesses, civic and professional organizations, families, friends and dog walkers.

Individuals also are welcome to join and register on the day of the walk. While there is not a registration fee, individuals and teams are encouraged to make donations.

This year's walk is dedicated to the memory of Michael McNeill, a client and member of the Food & Shelter family, who died Sept. 1 in Norman. People are invited to make memorial contributions to the walk in McNeill's honor.

CROP, which stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, is a nationwide, ecumenical effort to raise awareness about the impact of hunger and poverty. The walk is one of more than 2,000 such events taking place across the country this year and has been a part of the Norman community for more than 30 years. The walk is organized by volunteers from a variety of local faith communities.

More than a walk

Before the walk, participants can enjoy face painting for kids, musical entertainment by Norman Public School's Manyawi World Music Ensemble and a contingent of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. Members of local school and church choirs will start the walk, singing African marching song “Siyahamba.”