WALKING AWAY HUNGER LOCALS DO PART TO AID EFFORT.

Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer

NEWHALL -- More than 120 walkers took steps to eliminate world hunger Monday morning as they participated in the 10th annual CROP Walk.

Felice Smith, a trim golden-brown Chihuahua, wore her red CROP -- Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty -- sticker proudly, leading her owner Jan Smith along the route.

``Why not walk? I'm very aware of the fact that I have been helped by others,'' said Smith, a senior citizen. ``Whatever I can do with my limited resources, I'll do.''

Likening themselves to citizens of third-world countries who have to travel miles on foot to get to potable water supplies, the walkers of all ages and styles set off with a purpose in mild morning temperatures.

Emily McPeters, 5, wore a black T-shirt from her congregation, the Church of Hope in Canyon Country, festooned with a multitude of colorful ribbons.

Her mother, Nancy, and the rest of the family -- father Keith, daughter Heather, 17, and sons Michael, 13, and Ryan, 10 -- assembled a wagon in which Emily would ride.

The Church of Hope, where 1,500 people receive food donations from the church pantry, is one of four local charities benefiting from the annual fundraiser.

Nancy McPeters, who home-schools her children, considers community service an important teaching tool. The children not only walked Monday, but helped her pick up day-old breads and desserts from Vons for the church food bank.

At the walk's starting line, the Rev. Lynn Jay, pastor of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, said the event is one of several efforts by churches to help feed the hungry, something Jay said is often overlooked by local politicians.

``That man who sleeps over there,'' she said wryly, pointing to shrubbery near the front of the church on Orchard Village Parkway. ``He's not homeless, he just likes it there. But we don't have a problem.''

Organizer Ricky Hoyt, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church, said they expected to raise $15,000, a quarter of which will be shared by the Church of Hope, the SCV Food Pantry, the SCV homeless shelter and the Valencia United Methodist Feeding Individuals and Sharing Hope program.

Armed with a bullhorn, Hoyt took an informal roll call of congregations represented, hearing from members of St. Stephen's, Santa Clarita United Methodist, Valencia United Methodist, Church of Hope, Friendly Valley, SCV Baha'i and the SCV Pagan Network.

The majority of the money goes to Church World Service, which provides food and drinking water to needy people in countries around the world.

``People don't have to raise money to walk with us,'' Hoyt said. ``We encourage people to put themselves in the shoes of those who have to walk to get food or water. If they raise money, that's fine, but we're happy to have them just walk with us.''

``This community overall has been so generous. We've raised more than $100,000 over the last 10 years,'' said George McLeary, chairman of the Interfaith Council and pastor of the Church of Hope. ``Taking care of hungry people is something we can all agree on. There are a lot of caring people out there.''

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church walk down San Fernando Road at 13th Street while participating in the CROP Walk to raise money for food banks.

(2 -- color) One of the more than 120 walkers shows her support during Monday's 10th annual CROP Walk.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer