United Church packages 14,200 meals

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In conjunction with its youth group’s 30-hour “Fast For Food,” United Church in Walpole hosted a meal packaging event on Saturday, February 4 for the benefit of Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now), an organization that has perfected a dried-meal package that can be shipped anywhere in the world to alleviate hunger and its devastating effects.

In support of the four fasting youth and two adult advisors, over 75 members of the congregation, ranging in age from 5 to 80+, gathered in United’s fellowship hall, learned how to mix and package the rice-soy-dehydrated vegetable ingredients brought in by Rise Against Hunger, and in a little over two hours, assembled more than 2,370 packages, each containing enough food for six meals, for a total of 14,276 meals.

The three assembly lines for mixing, sealing, and boxing the meals were a scene of constant motion, laughter, chatter and even some dancing, with a lively music soundtrack in the background provided by Rise Against Hunger. Based in Raleigh, NC, Rise Against Hunger has a warehouse and packaging facility in Woburn, MA. Last year, the youth group invited them to come to Walpole for an all-congregation meal packaging event, which requires a minimum commitment of raising at least $2,900 and packaging 10,000 meals.
Having exceeded that goal last year, the goal this year was increased to $3,600 and 12,528 meals. Once again, the goals were surpassed.

Those who attended expressed their enjoyment of the event, citing the fun, fellowship and sense of satisfaction with a hands-on effort to reach out and help others in need. A desire to repeat the event annually was heard over and over, which United Church plans to do in the wake of these successes.

At the end of the day, the youth broke their 30-hour fast with a potluck supper prepared by their parents. United Church’s senior high youth group, known as Sr. Pursuit, has been participating in a 30-hour fast for 19 years. During the 30 hours, the youth go without food (consuming only juice and water) from noon on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. In this way, the youth experience for a brief time what far too many children and families all over the world face every day of their lives.

United Church in Walpole is an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. To learn more about the church and its activities, visit www.unitedwalpole.org. To learn more about Rise Against Hunger, visit their website at www.riseagainsthunger.org.