COUNTYWIDE : Walks to Raise Funds for Fighting Hunger

More than 2,000 people are expected to raise well over $100,000 to combat hunger at home and abroad by taking part Sunday afternoon in one of seven 10-kilometer walks in Ventura County.

Last year, 1,836 participants and their sponsors generated $109,683.31 through walks in Ventura, Oxnard/Port Hueneme, Conejo Valley, Camarillo, Ojai, Moorpark and Santa Paula. Ventura County Hunger Coalition Coordinator Jeanine Faria hopes to top last year’s numbers, but she isn’t making any predictions.

“It’s hard to tell if the Gulf crisis will put a damper on it,” she said. “Also, people are concerned about economics right now.”

Three-quarters of the money raised will go to Church World Service, an arm of the National Council of Churches, to support projects designed to help the poor of more than 70 nations become self-sufficient.

The other 25% will go to 21 local food banks and shelters. The volunteer organizers of each of the seven walks decided which charities in their communities would receive funds.

If this year’s event generates more than $110,000, it will push the total raised since the first walk was held in 1978 past $1 million.

“People can still participate,” Faria said. “They can register right up to the start of the walks, at the starting point. Even if they haven’t collected sponsors, they can sponsor themselves.”

Information on the walks is available by calling 652-1326.