There's a pig perfect for posing with in Manheim. Do you know where it is? It's one of the stops on the Manheim PA Community Scavenger Hunt, created by Manheim Community Cares.

The scavenger hunt kicked off last month and will run through December. To get started, just download the GooseChase app on your smartphone and search for "Manheim PA Community Scavenger Hunt." Paper copies of the hunt are also available at Sloan's Pharmacy, 73 S. Main St.; Divine Swine, 2684 Lebanon Road; and state Rep. Mindy Fee's office, 47 Market Square.

The scavenger hunt provides something fun for people to do while exploring the Manheim area, said Nancy Hanula of Manheim Community Cares.

Founded in 2018, Manheim Community Cares is composed of community leaders and concerned citizens who work to identify and address needs in the community. "At Manheim Community Cares, one of the things we do is analyze data to see what the needs are," she noted, adding that data showed a lack of prosocial activities beyond school for youths in the community. "But the scavenger hunt isn't just for youths. It's for adults, too. We're hoping that everybody young and old comes out and participates."

The scavenger hunt is funded by a grant Manheim Community Cares received from Compass Mark. Stops on the hunt might include anything from posing for a picture with the aforementioned pig to playing leapfrog in a park or taking a walk on a trail in a local park and saying a kind word to anyone you pass, Hanula said. Some stops will feature small giveaways from the site or the opportunity to collect a wooden token, while others are just for fun. "It's not just about getting something at every stop," Hanula remarked. "It's also about having the opportunity to maybe make someone's day by saying a kind word."

Participants can track points for each stop they complete and enter a drawing for prizes, she noted. Currently, the hunt features close to 20 stops, but more may be added throughout the year.

The scavenger hunt also fulfills a unique need in the community after a particularly difficult year, Hanula stated.

"People are feeling sad, depressed and isolated," she said. "Having the opportunity to give back and to meet other people can help people feel more connected to their community. People who feel more connected to their community become more engaged in their community."

She encourages anyone to check out the scavenger hunt, which encompasses stops throughout the Manheim Central School District.

"It's just a fun way to get out and get to know the community," she commented. "You might find a walking trail you never knew was there or go to a local business you haven't visited before."

For more information about Manheim Community Cares, visit https://manheimcommunitycares.org.