The Upshur Parish House will host the 4th Annual Mark Petrosky Hunger Walk on Saturday, Sept. 27, bringing the community together to raise awareness and resources for neighbors facing food insecurity.
The event begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Parish House, located at 68 College Ave., followed by the walk at 9 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a $5 donation or nonperishable food items to support the Parish House food pantry and holiday meal program.
“This is really our only dedicated pantry fundraiser of the year,” Parish House Executive Director Isaac Casto said. “For us, the Hunger Walk marks the beginning of the holiday season. Each year, more families come through our doors needing help, and with the funding cuts we’re experiencing, these donations make it possible for us to share food and hope during a time that should be full of both.”
This year’s walk will feature a reimagined route, highlighting Parish House programs and community partners. Instead of the traditional loop around Buckhannon’s Riverwalk, participants will visit meaningful stops such as the Clothes Closet thrift store, the Parish House Community Garden and a local church that hosts community meals and fundraisers.
“We wanted the event to feel more intentional, almost like a roving open house,” Casto said. “The Parish House is the focal point, but it’s really about the community and the relationships that help keep people fed and supported.”
This year’s Hunger Walk also introduces a new team competition called “Pack the Pantry.” Community groups, clubs, businesses and even groups of friends are encouraged to register together. Awards will be given to the team with the most walkers and the team donating the most food. Donations can be dropped off at the Parish House beginning Sept. 22.
The walk is held in memory of Mark Petrosky, a U.S. Army veteran and dedicated Parish House volunteer who passed away in 2021. Petrosky served two tours in Iraq and in the Reserves and National Guard before returning home to Buckhannon.
“When the Hunger Walk was brought back after COVID, organizers thought it would be a meaningful way to honor Mark’s service and dedication,” Casto said. “Keeping his memory alive through this event is a reflection of who we are as an organization, about service and about community.”
Suggested donation items include holiday food staples such as canned green beans, cranberry sauce, instant potatoes, stuffing mix and boxed desserts, as well as everyday pantry and household essentials like canned meats, pasta sauce, hygiene products and paper goods.
For more information or to register a team, visit parishhouse.org, call 304-472-0743, or stop by the Parish House during operating hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
