Feeding the World: Coming Together to Stop Hunger

Communities all over the country are getting together to pour, pack and ship food all around the world making a positive impact on women, men, and children that they have never met before.

By: Kira Rib

Wisps of powder whirl through the room as a volunteer funnels scoops of food into a pouch. They smile as they hand the bag to another volunteer who weighs it and passes it down to another to seal up and then box. This process is mirrored and repeated as hundreds of volunteers come together to help feed the world they hold dear.

Volunteers sealing a food bag ready to send off to Haiti

“I was taught that you can change someone’s life, you can impact someone’s life by giving to them and serving them,”

said Eric Johnson, the individual who led this particular event at the Wesley Chapel Toyota dealership in Florida to help feed those in Haiti. Inspired by an event that was hosted by Change This World at his church, Johnson wanted to see his community go even farther. He approached his management at Wesley Chapel with a vision for the city, a semi-annual event to help change the world. The dealership hopped onboard for their premier event that took place on June 26^th.

The goal to provide 40,000 packed meals for Haiti would cost $10,000 and more help than that of the dealership. About twenty sponsoring businesses, six restaurants, and over two hundred people supported the event. This community, this team, in two hours not only reached their goal but exceeded it. With the realization that each completed pouch would feed six hungry people, these volunteers were ready to work with more than their hands…they began to work with their hearts.

These inspirational get-togethers are happening all around the country. After researching extensively for a combination of food that would combat malnutrition, one non-profit found that the balanced meal for the hungry consists of vegetables, vitamins, soy, and rice. Kids Against Hunger is one of many organizations that spin the network of service to the starving. In 2010, Kids Against Hunger provided forty million meals for the refugees of Haiti, enlisting the help of 150,000 volunteers like the ones of Wesley Chapel. However, Haiti is not the only beneficiary of this organization. From Argentina to Zimbabwe, Kids Against Hunger targets areas of need in sixty-two countries, inclusive of the United States.

With the incredible amount of work put into packaging the food, the volunteers always question, “So what now? How does it get there?” Kids Against Hunger works directly with NGOs located in the destination countries, allowing for a safe, reliable transport and distribution of the food. What sets them apart though is not their attempt to nourish bodies, but to also nourish minds and spirits. Their partners are fighting worldwide to battle starvation for the long run. These organizations follow through to the finish, helping create communities that are self-sufficient as well as educated on proper nutrition and hygiene.

An ongoing battle in our world is not going unnoticed or untouched. People in your community and all over the world are fighting against world hunger, and with non-profits like Kids Against Hunger and the continual efforts of these communities, we are closer to winning!

Looking to volunteer? Want to learn more about Kids Against Hunger? Visit www.kidsagainsthunger.org. On this website you will find more information, organizations near you, and other ways to lend a hand.

Tags: battle starvation for the long run, Feeding the World, Kids Against Hunger, meals for Haiti, Stop Hunger, volunteer to stop hunger

Category: Current Articles, Mind, Body & Spirit