48th CROP Walk Scheduled

For several years, Krisana Poontajak, pastor of Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church and one of the organizers of the New Holland Area CROP Walk, has had a fundraising target. "The goal is to reach $10,000," shared Poontajak. "Two years ago, we raised $7,300, and we raised $9,136 last year."

To reach that goal, Poontajak hopes to see more than 50 walkers turn out for the 2025 Walk - the 48th for the area - which is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19, in the New Holland Memorial Community Park in the 400 block of Jackson Street, New Holland. Participants are asked to meet at the Rotary Pavilion at 1 p.m. to complete the registration process. The walk will leave the pavilion at 1:30 p.m. and traverse a route of about 3 miles through nearby Garden Spot Village.

Several ELANCO and Conestoga Valley area churches join together to raise funds. Church members are informed about the event by church recruiters. Churches taking part in this year's walk, in addition to Cedar Grove, are Akron Mennonite Church, Ranck's United Methodist Church, Zion Lutheran Church, and Leola United Methodist Church (LUMC).

George Weaver, who has been recruiting for LUMC for two decades, said that other area churches are welcome to join in the effort. "All you need is a few people to get interested and then get others interested," he stated. "It's a good cause." Those wishing to become recruiters should email pastorkris@frontier.com or call 717-354-5573.

CROP, a program of Church World Service (CWS), has been active nationwide for more than 50 years. Around the globe, CROP funds bring food and clean water to those in need. Some funds are used to create wells to provide water for agriculture and drinking.

In Lancaster County, a portion of the funds raised by area CROP Walks are used to support food pantries. In 2024, funds raised by the New Holland area walk went to the Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services, which received more than $1,500, and the CrossNet Food and Nutrition Center, which received more than $2,000.

Individuals wishing to take part in the 2025 New Holland Area CROP Walk may visit http://www.crophungerwalk.org to register as a walker, join or start a walking team, or make a donation.