Allegheny Valley church association going forward with annual hunger walk in Harrison

Facing an increased need for food brought on by the covid-19 pandemic that also prevents people from gathering for things like fundraisers, the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches is going forward with its annual Walk for Hunger in Harrison on Sunday.

The association has held the walk for more than 40 years, according to Karen Snair, the association’s executive director. They’re doing a “hybrid model” this year because of the covid-19 pandemic.

“We’re really not sure what to expect, so it’s probably going to be a surprise to us,” she said.

Those who feel safe participating in the walk can meet at the Heights Plaza shopping center at 1 p.m. The 5K walk will start at 1:30 p.m., taking a route that brings walkers back to the plaza.

Those collecting pledge money will be given a T-shirt, Snair said. Those not collecting pledges can buy a shirt for $15.

As a safety precaution, there will not be any food served after the walk as has normally been done. Participants will instead get a treat bag.

“We wanted to show our appreciation in some way,” Snair said.

Those who don’t feel comfortable walking with others are encouraged to do a virtual walk or get together groups of friends and family to walk on their own, while still collecting pledges to support the association’s hunger programs.

Participants have until Nov. 1 to turn in pledge money.

Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church in West Deer has brought in the most money for a dozen years in a row, Snair said. Church member Jodi Fleeger, of Saxonburg, said where in past years 12 to 13 church members have taken part in the walk, five are expected this year.

In total, about 75 people took part in the walk last year.

Supporting the walk “has become embedded in our church,” Fleeger said. “When there’s a need, our church, they step up. Everyone in the church is very supportive of the walk. It’s taken on a life of its own.”

Snair said the walk usually raises about $14,000, which supports the association’s hunger programs, food bank, Produce to People and mass food distributions.

She’s not sure what to expect this year.

“I’ll be surprised if it’s not less,” she said. “I don’t know. Everything this year is an ‘I don’t know.’ Everything is nothing like as it has been.”

Snair said the food bank is currently in need of things such as shelf-stable juice, pasta and spaghetti sauce. Also needed are paper and cleaning products, toiletries and diapers.

The food bank is suffering because many of the church-based collections aren’t happening now with churches closed, she said.

“We certainly miss those community food drives because they really help us,” she said.

The mass distributions, held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer, have taken the place of Produce to People, which Snair said the association and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank haven’t figured out how to safely conduct during the pandemic.

There were more than 600 vehicles at the first distribution before the pandemic took hold.

While demand at the food bank has lessened somewhat since the start of the pandemic, in part due to government regulations again being enforced, the numbers at the mass distributions have remained steady, Snair said.

Snair said anyone interested in participating in the walk can just show up on Sunday.

Fleeger encouraged people to consider participating, and said any help would be appreciated.

“The need is very great right now,” she said. “If you’re able and you feel safe enough, it would be great to have as many people as we can.”