The York County Administrative Center is seen on May 1, 2019.
Ed Mahon / PA Post
York to celebrate 50 years of walking to end hunger
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Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
Ed Mahon / PA Post
The York County Administrative Center is seen on May 1, 2019.
(Harrisburg) — One midstate community will celebrate 50 years of an annual event to fight hunger this weekend.
York is believed to be the first city in the country to hold a Crop Walk for the Hungry in 1970.
Now called the Crop Hunger Walk, the event aims to raise awareness about hunger and poverty as well as money to help alleviate those issues.
Organizers said this year’s goal is to attract 1,200 participants and raise $50,000. Fundraising efforts are set to be matched by Rev. Roger and Sylvia Burtner.
The money will be split between the York County Food Bank to help people in the area and Church World Service to assist globally.
Patrick Walker with Church World Service said the event gives people a chance to put themselves in another’s shoes.
“Most people in developing countries walk for just about everything they need. They walk for food. They walk for jobs. They walk to go to school. They walk to gather water or firewood,” Walker said.
Registration for York’s walk starts at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, October 13. Participants can start out from one of four locations and walk about a mile to meet at Continental Square. A celebration will follow in front of the York County Administration Building.
“If you have a heart for making sure your neighbors have enough to eat, that’s what this event is about,” Walker said.
Other midstate communities, such as Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Chambersburg, plan similar walks later this month.
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