RED BANK — The CROP Hunger Walk Teen Leadership Committee will meet June 29 to launch plans for the organization’s 30th walk in the Red Bank area, which will take place Oct. 17.

Teen leaders work on an educational skit to be presented at the September rally, and will visit merchants along the 5-mile route of the walk to share the story of hungry and homeless neighbors right here in Monmouth County, and in most other countries around our world, according to a press release from organizers.

This annual walk turns out over 1,000 walkers of all ages who raise funds from sponsors to help 15 partner programs and three affiliated food pantries in the Bayshore area.

Bayshore Crop Walk has joined with the Red Bank-area walk to continue the long tradition of walking because others have to walk.

The goal for the 30th Crop Hunger Walk is to raise $130,000 and collect four tons of food, which is distributed on walk day each year to local pantries. Ongoing economic instability has eliminated jobs, leaving many families “food insecure” as they decide how to pay mortgage, health and food bills to provide for their families, the press release notes.

Some pantries have seen requests double while donations have dropped, so the rice, beans and peanut butter collection on walk day is very important.

Over three decades of walking in the Red Bank area, funds raised will exceed $2 million. This family-friendly community event brings together area churches, temples, civic groups and schools with music and activities and educational displays at water stops along the route.

New for 2010 is the redbankcropwalk. com site — an interactive blog that provides all the basic information needed to participate, with links to Church World Service and Facebook. Teens will also be producing some public service announcements, and YouTube shorts to educate the public about Crop Walk and how it helps to decrease poverty in the world through tools, skills training, education, microloans, and sustainable development that brings clean water to people so that energy is not wasted on walking miles for water to survive.

For information on how to be a part of this anniversary event, visit the blog at www.redbankcropwalk.com, join the walk on Facebook or email redbankcropwalk@ gmail.com.