rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
BRADFORD COUNTY — PIVOT’s annual Walk for Hunger fundraiser is now in its sixth year.
The idea came to employee William Frye when he knew he wanted to help others in Bradford County by means of his job, which he’s worked at for eight years. Frye walked 101 1/2 miles throughout the week from July 13-17 at different locations in Bradford County.
“I don’t like to run, so walking was more appropriate for me,” said Frye.
Frye started his walk last Monday, from Tunkhannock to Wyalusing. Tuesday was Wyalusing to Towanda. Wednesday was Towanda to Athens. Thursday was Athens to Troy. Friday was Troy to Canton, while he was joined by his son Joseph and WHGL-FM’s Shane Wilber.
“It’s basically from one PIVOT clinic to another,” said Frye. “I enjoy walking for charity.”
This year, PIVOT has done online Facebook auctions to help support Child Hunger Outreach Program (CHOP) through their Facebook page. Local businesses have been supportive of the cause, donating items for auction.
CHOP’s main goal is to eliminate child hunger. The non-profit is located in Towanda. This fundraiser will help fill in a gap of a lack of donations, due to COVID-19.
“It’s basically straight donations. Local businesses have been very supportive of the program,” said Frye. “Our local businesses were eager to donate, which is amazing, especially with COVID happening right now. For example, The Park Hotel put in a $25 gift card towards the cause. So, people can put in a $5 entry to win the gift card in a raffle and that money goes directly to CHOP.”
They have received many donations and have already begun auctions, tagging the business who donated to keep them involved in the process.
“It helps raise awareness for them and their business as well,” said Frye.
All the money donated will go directly to CHOP and donations always stay local. PIVOT will be taking donations until the end of the month, but will not turn down any further donations.
Frye said though they will take food donations as well, money actually goes further for CHOP because they are able to buy food at wholesale prices.
Just last week, CHOP distributed more than 100,000 pounds of food serving 453 local families accounting for 1,400 people, according to their Facebook page. Frye was even able to surprise the volunteers as he finished that leg of the PIVOT walking to Towanda.
“They have been stretched beyond belief with this COVID,” said Frye. “This is actually a time where CHOP is low on food, because it’s summer and people are busy. Usually the time they receive the most donations is around Easter for Easter dinner and the holidays at the end of the year. So, we think this is the perfect time to do this.”
So far, CHOP has donated more than one million pounds of food during the pandemic.
To donate to this cause and help residents of Bradford County in need of food, stop in to your nearest PIVOT clinic to drop off food or monetary donations.
For more information on the program, go to their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PIVOT-WALK-for-Hunger-184633105702712, where the online auction will also take place. For more information on CHOP, go to https://childhungeroutreachpartners.com/pennsylvania-1.