The rain originally forecast for Sunday, Oct. 5 isn’t expected anymore, not that it matters to Barb Myckowiak. One of the leaders of the annual CROP Hunger Walk in Charlotte, Myckowiak would prefer nice weather for the 31st annual event. However, she knows the millions of people around the world that have walk to get food aren’t deterred by a little precipitation.

“It’s something that really bothers me, that there are so many hungry people,” Myckowiak said of world hunger, the issue CROP Hunger Walks around the world aim to address. “They tell us there is enough food in the world to go around, but, for some reason, not everyone is getting enough.”

The greater-Charlotte community has done its part over the course of the last 31 years. CROP Hunger Walks have raised more than $300,000 over that time for Church World Service, the organization that benefits from CROP Hunger Walks. Twenty-five percent of the money raised stays in the local community. More than $70,000 has been raised for local organizations.

Funds from this year’s walk, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at Bennett Park, will benefit Helping Hands, SIREN/Eaton Shelter, St. Vincent DePaul and the Community Dinners hosted at the Charlotte Eagles.

Organizers of this year’s event have set a goal to raise $20,000, a mark the Charlotte event reached two years ago. Last year, Charlotte’s CROP Hunger Walk raised a little more than $15,000. Myckowiak said she is hoping for more participation last year. She said organizers have been working with Charlotte High School students this year to boost participation of local youth. Olivet College students are typically on hand to help throughout the event, which also receives regular participation from 10 to 12 Charlotte-area churches.

“We’re excited for this year and hoping for good weather,” she said. “But, it’ll be fun no matter the weather.”

Walkers can still sign up to walk or donate the day of the event. The first 100 participants that raise at least $25 get a t-shirt. CROP Hunger Walk also accepts non-perishable food donations the day of the event. Those donations are organized and delivered to Helping Hands by Olivet College students.

The walk kicks off at 2 p.m., led by local bagpiper, Bill Collins. Participants can walk the full 4.2 mile course or choose to walk a one-mile loop inside Bennett Park.