A group of Penn-Trafford area churches are encouraging people to join a walk around historic Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township on Oct. 13 as way to raise money to battle against hunger locally and globally.

Penn-Trafford CROP Hunger Walk wants to have 100 walkers obtain donations and pledges totalling $8,000, which will be used in the fight against hunger in the region, as well as nationally, said the Rev. John M. Titus, pastor of the First United Church of Christ, Harrison City. Twenty-five percent of the money raised through the local CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walks is divided between the St. Barbara Church food bank in Harrison City and the Trafford Food Bank, said Titus, chairman of the local CROP Hunger Walk.

There is a tremendous need in the community, Titus said. St. Barabra Church’s food bank serves about 60 families each month.

While this is the 20th CROP Hunger Walk for the Penn-Trafford Ministerium, Titus said the ministerium was unable to sponsor the walk last year. This is the 50th anniversary of the Church World Service’s CROP Hunger Walk, which will receive 75% of the money raised by the walk.

Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. near the park entrance pavilion along Route 993 east of Harrison City. The walk starts at 2 p.m. and walkers will have three options for the event: a 3.5-mile route, a one mile walk and an easy walk for those unable to finish the mile. Members from the First United Church of Christ in Harrison City, Penn-Zion Lutheran Church, Level Green Presbyterian Church, Denmark Manor United Church of Christ, Trinity United Methodist – Trafford, will be joined by Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, in walking the route.

Awards will be given at the pre-walk rally for the largest group represented, the most senior and the youngest walkers, the largest family represented, the largest group from a church or organization, the walker with the most sponsors and the walker who raises the most money. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times.

Participation in the CROP Hunger Walk often depends upon the weather that day, Titus said.

The organization likes to pick a time and date that does not conflict with the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule, Titus said.

Donations can be made online at crophungerwalk.org/jeannettepa.

Participants need to pre-register. For those who are not church members, registration materials can be obtained by contacting Titus at rev_jt@verizon.net or 412-334-5496.

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