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YOUNGSTOWN -- Walkers took to the sidewalks around Wick Park on Sunday afternoon to raise awareness and funds for the annual CROP Hunger Walk Mahoning County sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches.
The rain stopped long enough for participants to walk through the park and nearby streets beginning at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown on Elm Street.
The walk, aimed at raising money to "end hunger one step at a time," has taken place nationally for more than 50 years.
Sponsored by Church World Services, CROP Hunger Walk supports overseas relief and local agencies. Protestant Family Services and the ACTION Mobile Food Truck are local recipients of funds this year.
Pastor Jeremy Hollingshead of Martin Lutheran Church in Youngstown, one of the event organizers, said his church had a six-member team.
Hollingshead said churches from Mahoning and Trumbull counties took part. Girard First United Methodist Church had 59 members walking.
He said even during the coronavirus pandemic, the walk continued since it was outside and people could stay apart. Hollingshead said people could walk in person at the event or virtually for those out of the area.
Protestant Family Services and the ACTION Mobile Market will split 25% of the proceeds. Hollingshead said 75% of the proceeds will help fight hunger worldwide.
"CROP Walk is unique in that it gives Youngstown an opportunity to have a part in fighting hunger globally. It is not about just raising money for our own community. This is a way that we can help people all over the world, This is the Youngstown area coming together to help other people locally and globally. That makes it unique and special," he said.
Carol Holmes-Chambers of Girard has taken part in past CROP Walks with her family.
"We believe we can handle these types of issues collectively. We are all together showing solidarity in walking together," Holmes-Chambers said.
The Rev. Diana Robles of Sacred Commons Church of Youngstown said the church members want to be part of helping the community.
John Paul Robles of Youngstown said the church looks forward to the CROP Walk every year.
"This is the work that the church is called to do. Events like this help to make our community whole when we pay attention and care for each other." he said.
Cathy Pokrivnak of Youngstown, executive director of Protestant Family Services, said CROP Walk takes place the second Sunday in October.
She and Hollingshead try to recruit people from Mahoning and Trumbull counties and other areas to participate.
Pokrivnak said the funds help the pantry at Protestant Family Services.
"We always come here to give the walkers water and candy. We feel privileged to be the recipient of the local money," she said.
CROP Walk allows participants to decide if they want a one-mile or a three-mile walk around and near Wick Park. Hollingshead said many of the smaller CROP Walks of past years have merged into larger walks.
''People used to walk and contribute so much per mile and now they give a flat donation," Pokrivnak said.
Mike and Kari Evans of Mineral Ridge with their sons, Ryan and AJ, were among the participants from Trumbull County.
They said they want to help people locally and in other parts of the world.
Girard United Methodist Church had 59 participants, with more than 20 at the park walking and others taking part elsewhere.
Bill and Shirley Koppel of McDonald helped organize the 59 members from Girard First United Methodist Church.