VALLEY FUND-RAISER IS A BIG STEP FOR WORLD HUNGER RELIEF.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

WINNETKA - Hundreds of Valley residents - and even a few Valley dogs - hit the road Sunday for a walk against world hunger.

Muslims, Jews and Christians joined together for the 24th annual Valley CROP Hunger Walk early Sunday afternoon to raise money for local food banks and food production around the globe.

``I'm ready,'' said Connie Reynolds, 34, who's been CROP walking since she was 8. ``I think of all the people in Afghanistan and in Africa and what a sad situation it is (that) we're not giving enough food to them.''

She raised $95 from family and friends during Sunday's walk.

An estimated 400 strollers, saunterers and trotters took to the 8 kilometer (about 5-mile) route from St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church via Pierce College and back carrying orange, red and yellow balloons and placards that read ``Help CROP Stop Hunger.''

The Communities Reaching Out to People event was expected to raise up to $36,000 - a quarter of which will go to San Fernando Valley Food banks run by the Interfaith Council.

``Just doing my part,'' said the tattooed Bill B., 31, of Reseda, who declined to give his last name.

CROP, a Church World Service charity founded after World War II, encourages self-reliance by fostering food producing initiatives in more than 80 countries. Each year, more than 3 million supporters raise funds through some 2,000 CROP walks.

Prior to Sunday's walk, St. Martin provided bottled water, homemade brownies, pastries and other baked goods. Walt's Disciples, a rock 'n' roll band manned by Disney Corp. employees, provided entertainment.

Lunch was served afterward.

For each walk participant, however, other stomachs came first.

``These dogs raised $900 for hunger,'' read a sign held by Paula Barbier of Studio City, whose four adopted shelter dogs hit the road Sunday and helped raise $500 from CBS' ``Crime Scene Investigations'' series.

Judith Calvert, 51, of Northridge, who planned to roll her wheelchair two kilometers for world hunger, raised $250.

``It's the only walk that I participate in,'' said Norma Fritsche, coordinator of Sunday's walk. ``It's a grass-roots activity; we don't go for big money or corporate sponsors. ... It's about people helping people.''

And a little personal stride.

``I was just told I'm doing the 5 - thought I was going to do a mile,'' said the Rev. Ron Culmer of St. Martin, preparing to replace his cap-toed oxfords with some tennis shoes.

``My pleasure: 5 (miles) in solidarity with the poor.''

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Scores of walkers raise funds for local food banks and food production around the world during Sunday's 24th annual Valley CROP Hunger Walk.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News