Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event – Broadalbin

On Sunday February 10, 2019 at 1:30pm, the Broadalbin First Presbyterian Church will be hosting our 5th Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event.  We again are co-hosting this event with the Broadalbin Perth School District (at the Broadalbin site).  

Last year 300+ volunteers packaged 44,496 meals in less than 2 hours! Vitamin packet. Soy. Veggies. Rice. Weigh. Seal.  Repeat, repeat, repeat… The gymnasium was filled with energy, music and 44 gongs (one for each 1,000 meals) as we filled bags and packaged them into boxes for shipping. Each bag provides a serving for 6 people.  Volunteers ranged in age from 4½ to?? (I didn’t ask). Between our congregation and the school community, we raised over $12,000 to package these meals. The competition between school buildings and classes within the buildings was fantastic. Previous meals have been sent to Haiti and for the last two years our meals have been sent to the West Africa country of Burkina Faso.

As we struggle through the snow and cold this winter we remember the wonderful meals we enjoyed at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year celebrations. However, what if your fond memories of plentiful food were replaced with feelings of hunger? What if you were unable to provide enough food for your family tonight? What if your son or daughter said he or she is “starving,” but you could only respond with “I know. I’m sorry”?

815 million people in the world don’t get the food they need to live a healthy life. (United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization)

Across the developing world 66 million primary school-age children attend classes hungry.  (United Nations World Food Programme)

While the numbers appear overwhelming, Jesus shows us that miracles can happen through sharing. (Matt. 14:13-21) A few loaves of bread, some fish, repeated by a “multitude” of committed faithful, renders enough for everyone. Jesus puts the responsibility of feeding, on his disciples: “You give them something to eat.”

For more information see: https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/

Or contact me at: sjacklin@nycap.rr.com   518-883-8167

Or better yet, visit us at 1:30 on Sun Feb 10th at the Broadalbin Perth High School Gym (54 Bridge St. Broadalbin 12025).  But don’t be too late.

There is also a short article about us (under Partner Spotlight) at: https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/locations/new-england/

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity; it is an act of justice.” ~Nelson Mandela