Seward County walks for relief

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Walkers of all ages ventured two miles through Seward to raise awareness and resources for the hungry.

Seward United Methodist Church hosted the annual Church World Service CROP Walk Oct. 10.

UMC Pastor Jo Ellen Axthelm said the event benefits causes both globally and locally. Twenty-five percent of funds raised at the Seward County event will be put towards area organizations. This year's recipients are the Kiwanis backpack program and Blue Valley Community Action. The other 75% will be used by CWS for projects throughout the world.

“All money goes towards food relief and helping people get clean water,” Axthelm said.

This year marked the return of the walk as a unified effort. Axthelm said, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, walkers were encouraged to walk on their own. Although the event was altered last year, Axthelm said the cause still raised $1,200.

Axthelm said the event is a fundraiser for various causes, but also serves as an educational tool. The purpose of the walk is to express how difficult it is for some people to obtain clean water.

“People have to walk to get clean water. Some kids walk two to three miles each day just to get water,” she said. “That's hard to understand.”