ROCK HILL—The Oratory of St. Philip Neri sponsored a hunger walk Oct. 15 that far exceeded expectations.
Called Operation Oratory: Rock Your Socks, the first annual event attracted about 150 young people who strolled in a 3-mile loop from The Oratory, through Winthrop’s campus and back.
Each participant brought in two canned goods as an admission fee and collected pledges for the walk.
So far they have raised $1,600, with more coming in over the next week, said Kathy Schmugge, assistant director of the family life office.
The money will be distributed to Catholic-approved local groups that help the hungry, and the food divided among local pantries.
Schmugge said youth ranging from elementary-age children with their parents to college students joined the stroll and enjoyed refreshments afterward.
Along with students, participants came from the parishes of St. Anne and St. Mary in Rock Hill, St. Philip Neri in Fort Mill, All Saints Mission in Lake Wylie, and Divine Saviour in York.