The Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP) was created in 1947 when farmers were asked to donate food and seed crops to Europe and Asia after World War II. Twenty-two years later, the inaugural CROP Hunger Walk was organized in Bismarck, N.D., and in York, Pa., the year after. Since then, CROP Hunger Walk events have been held in hundreds of communities nationwide, raising money to eradicate hunger and poverty.

Representatives from Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church, Refton Brethren in Christ Church, and Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren have collaborated for the past 31 years to host the annual Solanco CROP Hunger Walk. Since its inception in 1980, the event has raised over $401,000. All of the proceeds go to Church World Service, the organizer of the CROP Hunger Walk, then the Church World Service sends 25% of the funds to a chosen local organization. Mary Etta Reinhart and Don Trimble, co-chairs of the Solanco CROP Walk, selected the food bank run by Solanco Neighborhood Ministries (SNM) as the recipient. Through the CROP Walk, participants endeavor to help eradicate hunger on both global and local scales.

This year's Solanco CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Muddy Run Park, 172 Bethesda Church Road, Holtwood. Walkers will gather at 8:30 a.m., with the 5-mile walk beginning at 9 a.m. Masks will be optional, and the event will be held rain or shine.

"The park is such a beautiful place to walk," stated Reinhart. "Usually, the trees are changing and I see deer almost every year. (The event is) also a good role model for families; we have adults who came when they were kids."

"This is a very worthy cause," said Trimble. "It provides funds for those who are unable to help themselves so they can start a project where they can become self-sufficient."

The owners of C.R. Lapp's Family Restaurant, Robin and Christy Lapp, will donate a $10 gift card to each participant who raises a minimum of $100.

To register for the walk, contact Reinhart at 717-786-4323, 717-808-4306, or ereinhart403@comcast.net. To learn more about the CROP Hunger Walk, visit https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2021/home.