Jane Robertson • Derry Member

October 5, 2023

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, the eNews feature article highlights the mission focus for that month. In October we’re lifting up the 2023 CROP Walk, one way we can take action to care for hungry people in our community and around the world. This message written by Jane first appeared as a feature article in the 2011 eNews and is just as relevant today as it was 12 years ago.

Stop by the table in the Narthex to sign up for the CROP Walk, or sign up online!

Post worship fellowships, Terrific Tuesdays, corn roasts, cookie walks: these are just a few of the food-related events that we enjoy here at Derry Church. We sure do love to eat! 

Fortunately for us, food is abundant. But that’s not the case for many people around the globe, as well as here in the United States. Worldwide, over a billion people are hungry – half of them are children. In the U.S. more than 36 million do not get enough to eat.

Sometimes when I hear troubling statistics such as these, I wonder what can I possibly do to make a difference? Perhaps you, too, have had similar thoughts. Well, one thing we can do is to make a commitment to participate in the 38th Annual Hershey/Hummelstown Crop Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 22.

Top reasons why you should support this walk:

  • It is great exercise – a lovely 5k walk on the grounds of the Milton Hershey School.
  • It is a family- friendly/pet-friendly mission event.
  • It is an opportunity to socialize with folks from the community.
  • Your donation will help meet our community goal of raising $10,000.
  • In past years we’ve had as many as 60 walkers. With your participation, Derry could top that number this year.
  • 25% of the money raised stays in our community to support local food banks
  • 75% of the money raised is used by Church World Service to feed hungry people around the globe.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THIS WALK: 

It is the Christian thing to do.

…if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noon day. 

(Isaiah 58:10)

Ok, now that I have convinced you to participate, here is what you need to know to get started:

  1. Mark your calendar and join the Walk on Sunday, October 22 at 2 pm on the Milton Hershey School grounds. 
  2. Invite family, friends, and leashed pets to join you.
  3. Request donations from family, friends, and neighbors.
  4. Register for the walk online or at the registration table in the Narthex on Oct 8, 15, and 22 between services and after the 10:30 am service. Registration and donations will also be accepted at the CROP Walk. Look for the registration table near the start line.
  5. Make a donation: you can give online or make checks payable to CWS/CROP.
  6. Contact Marilyn Koch, Carl Rohr, or me if you have questions.

That’s it. Simple! So mark your calendar, recruit your family and friends, lace up your sneakers, and let’s all help to end hunger – one step at time.