I had the opportunity to be part of a Stop Hunger Now event last weekend. I had heard on the radio and in the newspaper that our local Rotary club was looking for 800 volunteers to package some meals. They offered 4 – 2 hours slots that you could pick from – I signed up online – super easy to register.
You do not have to be a Rotarian.
I figured I could manage 2 hours to go and see what it was all about. I called my friend and asked if she was interested and off we went.
We are SO glad we went – what a very cool and fun event to be part of.
In 2 hours our team of volunteers (adults and children) packaged over 60,000 meals! In total the volunteers for the day – packaged 285,000 meals that are heading off to Cambodia. We beat last year’s record!
You were assigned to one of the following groups:
Funnel station – placing the actual food into bags (1 package can feed 6 people) Each bag contains: Rice, Soy Protein, Dehydrated Vegetables, Vitamin Packet
Weighing station – to ensure each bag had the proper amount in it
Sealing the bags
Boxing – placing 36 bags into each box and taping shut
We were boxers – we got a rhythm going and cannot count how many boxes we filled – but the whole system they have in place is a well-oiled machine. They have obviously done this before, it is very efficient and a lot of fun, complete with a sense of something much bigger than yourself.
Some of the facts about Stop Hunger Now that I discovered:
Since the launch of STOP HUNGER NOW’s meal packaging program in 2005, Rotarians have packaged 20 million+ meals for distribution around the globe. Rotary is a critical link to helping STOP HUNGER NOW meet the United Nations goal of ending world hunger by 2030.
It is immensely fun, a hands-on and rewarding experience for anyone of any age.
Rotary clubs start to recruit volunteers based on the number of meals that it plans to package. It costs approximately 29 cents for each meal that is packaged.
Stop Hunger Now packages and ships meals to feed people in need around the world. The program has engaged millions of Rotary, corporate, student, civic and faith-based volunteers to package meals. Through these efforts, Stop Hunger Now educates thousands of people each year about hunger and inspires them to help end it.
Rotary clubs all over the globe are hosting similar events – look them up and see when there will be one near you - then add your name to the list - you will be glad you did!
