New Holland CROP Walk Planned

George Weaver and Krisana Poontajak, two of the organizers of the New Holland Area CROP Hunger Walk, are looking for a few good recruiters. "All we need is a coordinator from a church to get behind (CROP Walk)," said Weaver.

Poontajak explained, "We need a recruiter from each church to ask church members to walk, and then the walkers ask for sponsors."

After the event was held virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, the 2021 CROP Hunger Walk will be held in person. A virtual option is available this year as well. The New Holland/Leola in-person event will begin at the New Holland Memorial Community Park, in the 400 block of Jackson Street, New Holland, on Sunday, Oct. 17. The walk will leave the Rotary Pavilion at 1:30 p.m. Participants are asked to meet at the park at 1 p.m. to complete the registration process. Walkers may walk up to 3 miles following a route through Garden Spot Village (GSV).

CROP Walks have been in existence nationwide for 52 years, and the greater New Holland area has been participating for 44 years. Several local churches are taking part, including Cedar Grove, St. John Center Lutheran, Garden Spot Community Church, and Trinity Lutheran, all in New Holland, as well as Leola United Methodist and Zion Lutheran in Leola.

CROP Walks are sponsored by Church World Service (CWS). According to CWS, CROP Walk funds help transform communities by bringing food and water to people in need in 35 countries. Funds raised by CROP help dig wells to provide water for drinking and agriculture. In some countries, people travel an average of 6 miles a day to obtain clean water. The availability of clean water is especially important because when individuals do not have to walk miles to obtain water, they can use the time to work, build a business, or take advantage of educational opportunities.

Poontajak pointed out that this year, walkers can designate some of the funds they raise to go to Haiti to help alleviate hunger problems related to the Aug. 14 earthquake that struck that country.

But the impact is not only overseas. Local food pantries benefit by receiving 25% of the funds raised by the CROP Hunger Walk nearest them. In ELANCO, the CrossNet Food and Nutrition Center in New Holland and the Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank will both benefit. In the Conestoga Valley area, Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services Food Pantry will receive funds.

Weaver noted that the New Holland Area CROP Hunger Walk has raised an average of $10,000 annually for about the last five years.

Information about the walk may be found at http://www.crophungerwalk.org. Those who wish to register teams made up of youth group or family members or co-workers may do so at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2021/event/newhollandpa.

Those who wish to become church recruiters may email kjak2501@gmail.com or call 717-354-5573.