THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, October 14, 1994               TAG: 9410120126
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS      PAGE: 15   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JUDY PARKER, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   51 lines

WALK ON SUNDAY WILL BENEFIT THE HUNGRY THE EVENT IS HELD BY CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES.

The annual Portsmouth CROP Walk for the Hungry will take place Sunday. Money raised by the walk benefits Church World Services, an international disaster relief organization, and the Portsmouth Area Resources Coalition.

PARC, which provides food and shelter for homeless families, has sponsored CROP Walks since 1983.

This year's event is being coordinated by Burle U. Stromberg of Gomley Chesed Synagogue, Patricia Stephenson of Churchland Baptist Church, and members of the Churchland Interfaith Council, an interdenominational coalition of 14 churches and synagogues.

``PARC had difficulty this year getting one church or synagogue to coordinate the walk,'' Stromberg said. ``When the council was contacted and asked to act as coordinator, we jumped at the opportunity. We knew that a hunger walk would be a natural for us.''

Stromberg has become a regular viewer of the Weather Channel since his appointment to the CROP coordinating committee.

``Last year, the weather didn't cooperate at all. It rained and was extremely windy, resulting in a low turnout. As a result, the walk only raised $12,700,'' Stromberg said.

``I understand that was significantly less than had been anticipated.''

Planners had hoped to raise $20,000 in the 1993 walk, and continue what had been a steady, two-decade increase in contributions. Instead, pledges last year dropped by nearly $6,000 from 1992 pledges.

``We really hope to turn that around,'' Stephenson said. ``Unfortunately, there are people in Portsmouth who need assistance, and the CROP walks help raise people's awareness of the problem of hunger in the city.''

The 6.2-mile trek will begin at 2 p.m. at Portside, meander along Crawford Bay, to Hospital Point on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Hospital, along the cobblestone sidewalks of Olde Towne, and wind its way back to Portside via the Seawall.

During the sign-in, which will begin at 1 p.m., entertainment will be provided by folk singer Michael Emery.

Anyone wishing to participate must pre-register by calling PARC at 393-7848 during the daytime or 484-9623 at night. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL

Patricia Stephenson and Burle U. Stromberg are coordinating the CROP

Walk for the Hungry on Sunday.

by CNB