For more than a decade, West Fairlee and Thetford have joined together for an annual Crop Walk, which raises money to support efforts to address hunger and food insecurity around the world.
This Sunday, the event will be held from 2-5 p.m.
“We did have to consider where it was OK to get together at all and do we want to do something in person at all. Was just virtual good enough?” said Michael Kiess, one of the event’s organizers.
What’s emerged is a hybrid event, with in-person and virtual options. Participants can do a 2-mile route in Post Mills, a 6-mile route around Lake Fairlee or choose a route of their own.
“We’re just sort of marking the 2-mile walk and we don’t have people offering snacks or water,” Kiess said.
At 2 p.m., a small, masked, socially distanced starting ceremony will take place at the Post Mills Church. This year’s walk is dedicated to Strafford resident Bill Burden, who died in July.
The Crop Walks are part of the Church World Service, a faith-based organization that started after World War II to address global hunger. A quarter of the proceeds benefit the West Fairlee and Thetford food shelves, which have seen an increase in demand since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March.
“Both the Thetford food shelf and the West Fairlee food shelf have seen increased utilization,” Kiess said.
Around 50 people typically participate in the event each year, and as of Thursday afternoon, the walk had raised $2,065, which is on par for years past, Kiess said.
“I think it’s been good for both communities,” Kiess said. “People feel like they’re helping take care of each other and there is help available.”
Other walks in the Upper Valley this weekend include Lebanon, Newport and Lyme. For more information, visit crophungerwalk.org.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
