The goal was a lofty one to begin with. When Red Bank Crop Walk brought in approximately 11,000 pounds of food donations last year, organizers hoped to top that number, setting a goal of 12,000 pounds for this year's walk.

On Monday, Walk organizer Janie Schildge said Sunday's annual Red Bank Crop Walk saw more than 13,000 pounds of food donated to the cause, the largest total in the Walk's 32-year history. 

Each year the Crop walk, a five-mile trek that winds through Little Silver, Fair Haven and Red Bank, attracts hundreds of supporters, walking groups, and dozens of participating schools and organizations. Red Bank's Crop Walk is one of hundreds held throughout the country that helps collect food and raise money for hunger-fighting development efforts throughout the world.

Schildge said Red Bank's Crop Walk is well on its way to raising $130,000 by the end of the year.

"It was a real outpouring of positive energy," she said about the walk. "When you think about all the things that are going on in our lives today, it's hard focus on any one thing."

Throughout the month, schools and businesses have helped collect food donations. Rumson Country Day school, Schildge said brought in 5,300 pounds of food, breaking its own record. The event is marked by the thoughtful donations of local residents, including DJ John Limyansky, who has donated his time each of the past 10 years.

The Walk begins each year at Red Bank Regional High School and heads on a five-mile course through three towns. Always held the third weekend in October, the Crop Walk this year coincided with the Red Bank Halloween Parade, with both groups converging on Broad Street. 

Schildge said seeing the children and adults dressed in costumes was a nice diversion along the way.

"We had a good time doing good things," she said. "I like the whole recipe for helping your neighbors." 

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