The Ed Poling Memorial HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope is HARC’s largest fundraiser of the year.

This is a non-competitive fundraising event open to all ages. This fully supported hike on the beautiful C&O Canal towpath features 5 K (3 miles) and 10 K (6.2 miles) hikes, to include everyone from casual to serious hikers and runners. Participants enjoy scenic water views while being supported by volunteers with water & Gatorade refills along the way.

Proceeds will benefit HARC programs, with a significant portion directed to Micah’s Backpack, which provides nutritious food to food-insecure children in Washington County, MD.  Micah’s Backpack is a collaborative effort between 50 churches and organizations in Washington County, serving more than 1,250 children with weekend meals.  A portion also goes to the Refugee Welcome Network, welcoming and supporting refugees as they transition to their new home in the U.S. and Washington County, MD. Other HARC initiatives include the Lighthouse After-School Program, ENOUGH child poverty alleviation initiative, and strengthening houses of worship and interfaith relationships.

The Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) is a coalition of faith community partners in Washington County, Maryland.  While HARC’s partner congregations can differ greatly on theology, all agree on loving our neighbor and working together to build a better community, help those in need, and support one another.

We believe in the power of faith communities working together.

We believe in nurturing the unlimited potential of every child.

We believe all people have equal value and are loved by God.

We believe in equipping one another to create stronger houses of worship.

Some of our Programs:

Micah's Backpack - 50 different churches and organizations providing weekend meals for more than 1,200 children each week.

Refugee Welcome Network - welcoming and assisting refugees as they work to become part of our community and gain independence, and assisting with "post-graduation" workforce development to improve economic stability. 

Lighthouse After-School Program - providing educational & enrichment programs and stable adult role models for more than 300 children in 7 schools. 

Interfaith Team - providing opportuntiies to learn about different faiths and build relationships, while promoting peace and understanding.

Equity in Education Scholarship - providing financial and mentorship support to racially diverse individuals as they work to attain their degrees in education.

Washington County Black Professionals Network (WCBPN) - offering connections and networking opportunities for Blacks of the African diaspora in Washington County, MD, and uplifting Black-owned businesses.

Learn more at https://harccoalition.org/