Newtown’s annual CROP Hunger Walk took place at the Fairfield Hills campus on Sunday, with participants starting from in front of NYA Sports & Fitness Center.

More than a dozen people bundled in coats and gloves braced the chilly 44-degree weather to participate in the afternoon’s 2½-mile walk, an annual event to help end local and worldwide hunger and poverty.

CROP Hunger Walks are sponsored by Church World Services and organized by local congregations.

Reverend Matt Crebbin, senior pastor of Newtown Congregational Church, organized the October 21 walk and welcomed everyone as they signed in. In addition to supplying food and refreshments, he also distributed maps highlighting the group’s designated walking route around Fairfield Hills.

People came from all over the area to support the cause, including members of Bridgewater Congregational Church, who were reportedly excited to be joining the Newtown CROP Hunger Walk for the first time this year.

Rev Crebbin said 75 percent of the funds raised from CROP Hunger Walks go toward ending hunger worldwide, while 25 percent will be used to directly help local communities.

For more information about the CROP Hunger Walk and to donate, visit [naviga:u]crophungerwalk.org[/naviga:u] and [naviga:u]newtownctchurch.org[/naviga:u].