Hats off to NC State students who are volunteering to pack meals to be shipped to areas of the world where hunger is a very, very real problem.
Stop Hunger Now began its meal packaging event in 2005 and the agency has since packaged more than 80 million meals, according to its website. At 25 cents, the packaged meals are inexpensive and can last up to five years. One meal includes a mixture of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a seasoning packet that contains 21 essential vitamins and minerals.
The durable packaging also allows the agency to distribute meals to regions in crisis, although the program is mainly dedicated to providing lunch programs among struggling countries.
The organization’s philosophy, outlined on its website, entails that parents will more likely send their children to school if schools provide meals, and the consequence would result in a better educational experience, and combined with other efforts for social justice, can end the cycle of poverty in the developing world.
If this group and activity isn’t a good fit for you, I hope you’ll find one within your church or community that is. If you believe in the power of the individual and our responsibility not to wait for government or others to take action for us, then now is the time to get busy.
