The 46th Solanco CROP Hunger Walk provides an ideal opportunity to get some exercise while helping neighbors and people from around the globe.

The 46th CROP Walk will be held rain or shine on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Muddy Run Park, 172 Bethesda Church Road, Holtwood. Participants should arrive by 8:30 a.m. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. The trail is 5 miles, and there will be a shorter, family-friendly route available. Preregistration is not required.

Co-chairs Mary Etta Reinhart and Don Trimble are spearheading the event, and representatives from Refton Brethren in Christ Church, Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church, Mt. Eden Lutheran Church, and Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren are assisting with the planning. For more information, email Reinhart at ereinhart1403@comcast.net.

Solanco Food Bank will receive 25% of the proceeds, with the rest going to Church World Service, a group working to reduce hunger and poverty across the world. Since starting in 1980, the CROP Walk has raised more than $480,000.

"There's a lot of hunger, there's a lot of needs in the world, and this is a very good way to help it," Reinhart said. "We can help Solanco Neighborhood Ministries, and we can reach out to needs all around the world. Church World Service has connections in countries everywhere. They do things like help with water projects. They help with a lot of things that provide just basic needs. We have so much here, and we just need to share with others."

Trimble noted that it will also be a time to meet your neighbors. "People can communicate with one another and have fellowship with one another," he said. "They can enjoy nature. It's over at Muddy Run, and it's safe and secure."

Reinhart emphasized it's a family-friendly event. "You can bring your children. You can bring your dogs to walk," she said. "There is a little tiny playground close to the pavilion. Before we start the walk, people will have a chance to paint little rocks that then they can take. We're also going to have little handheld signs that they can take with them."

After the walk, there will refreshments, including water, apples, and snacks.

"We also have a wonderful sponsor in C.R. Lapp's Family Restaurant," said Reinhart. "If people raise at least $100 by the day of the walk, they get a $10 gift card for C.R. Lapp's, so we're very appreciative of their support. If they are part of a church, they can get envelopes or they can just show up that day. We're happy to have people show up if they like."

The CROP Walk gets bigger and better every year. "We changed it 20 years ago," said Reinhart. "They were walking in Quarryville, which was fine on a Sunday afternoon. When Don and I took over, I think it was 2006, we moved it to Saturday morning to the park. It's much safer. You don't have to cross the streets. I think we've done a lot to improve the walk and make it way more popular because it's just a fun family day. And it's a good witness to your children. If you want to show your children about caring, you bring them, and they learn a lot about doing something for someone else."