Exercise and good nutrition are two key elements to a healthy lifestyle, for you, for me, for everyone. Few events combine those two elements in the way that the CROP Hunger Walk does.
The purpose of the CROP Hunger Walk, held in numerous locations nationwide, is not only to raise money in the fight against local and world hunger, but also to shed light on the impact that malnutrition has on the overall human condition.
In Lititz, the annual CROP Walk will be conducted on Sunday, Oct. 22, beginning at 2 p.m. at Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 W. Orange St., Lititz. The 2023 theme for the event is "Ending Hunger One Step at a Time."
From the church, participants will walk 3 miles to downtown Lititz, turn around at Lititz Springs Park and return to Lititz Church of the Brethren.
"Yeah, I do think we take food for granted," said Janice Sommerhoff, coordinator of the Lititz CROP Hunger Walk. "There is so much that we take for granted. (Food) is kind of the basis for being able to function and do things in daily life."
Participants in the Lititz CROP Hunger Walk raise money through sponsorships; 75% of that money is donated to Church World Services, and 25% goes to the Lititz Warwick Community Chest, a local food bank.
Last year, 14 walkers raised $5,540. This year, the Lititz CROP Hunger Walk is hoping to increase donations by increasing participation.
Last year's top earners, regulars Earl Ziegler and Ralph Moyer, have committed to return this year.
"The CROP Walk is something I've done since I was young," said Sommerhoff, a 47-year-old native of Lititz. "I do it to help raise funds and help others who don't have enough food. I feel like I'm called by my faith to serve others, and this is one way I can do it."
"There's also the purpose of educating others," Sommerhoff added. "The need falls here in our community and in other parts of the world. It's about energizing people to participate and to support this work."
From 2020 to 2021, the amount that the Lititz CROP Hunger Walk raised in donations jumped from $2,595 to $5,176.
"Over the years, there have been fewer people and fewer churches," said Sommerhoff. "Participation is something we're trying to work on. It's great when walkers ask people they know to donate towards their walk. These people care about others, and they want to raise funds to help fight hunger locally and around the world."
Though its popularity has ebbed and flowed, the Lititz CROP Hunger Walk has been a staple in the local community for years. Lititz is one of five CROP Hunger Walks conducted in Lancaster County annually.
"The CROP Walk in Lancaster city is a larger one," said Sommerhoff. "That walk is larger because there are a lot of communities and churches and groups participating. We kind of look to the Lancaster one as a great example of what happens when organizations work together to raise funds. But (CROP Hunger Walks) are not in a lot of towns across the county."
For additional information about the Lititz CROP Hunger Walk or to donate, go to https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/event/lititzpa, call Sommerhoff at 410-920-3510 or email her at jangibbel@verizon.net.
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