A cooperative effort by several service clubs, churches, and students recently helped make 10,000 meals designed to help stop hunger in needy areas around the world.  The event, initiated by Lynn Rotarian Reverend Bill Simpson, grew to include financial and volunteer support from the Rotary Clubs of Lynn, Saugus, and Swampscott, and the Lynn, Wyoma , and Shoe City Lions Clubs.  In addition, there was support from the Odd Fellows, the Greater Lynn Council of Churches, St. Mary’s High School, and the students from the Hunger for Justice Leadership Group.

 

The event was held at St. Mary’s High where over 73 volunteers from the various clubs and from the Hunger for Justice Leadership Students of  St. Mary’s came together to “build” the meals, each of which contained the food and vitamins designed to feed 6 people for one day.  A great spirit of fraternity and service surrounded the volunteers as they built the meals in an assembly line fashion.  The assembly line process resulted in volunteers from the variety of clubs, churches, and school groups working with each other and enjoying the spirit of volunteerism.  The event truly enriched the volunteers as well as the intended recipients.  Each meal was built to specifications, weighed, sealed, and was packaged for shipment to areas of need around the world.   The work went smoothly fueled by a cooperative spirit, snacks donated by the Lions, and great music which was blasted over the room.

 

Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief agency that has been fulfilling its commitment to end hunger for more than 15 years. Since 1998, the organization has coordinated the distribution of food and other lifesaving aid to children and families in countries all over the world.

 

Stop Hunger Now created its meal packaging program, in 2005. The program perfected the assembly process that combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 29 cents. The food stores easily, has a shelf-life of two years and transports quickly. Stop Hunger Now works with international partners that ship and distribute the meals in-country.

 

 

“These children come from families that cannot supply even one meal a day for their children and don't understand the purpose of education... We do not consider these meals to be ‘charity,’ but a real investment in humanity.”

 

“I usually don’t like regular rice because it is not tasty. This time I’ve eaten it with great pleasure and wanted the additional portion. I feel happy now. I want to thank all aunts and uncles who send this food to us. We love you!”

 

“For many children like me, the food we eat at Lakay is the only plate of food that we eat all day. With this food we are able to make sure that we won’t have to do bad things in the street in order to survive.” 

 

“Gladys Mudadi had been told by her grandmother at age 8 that both parents were dead from HIV/Aids.  Gladys’ grandmother died two years later and all relatives left her. She became homeless and helpless.  One of the schools took her in and has fed her and given her other things.  The food has greatly helped her diet and now she is strong and healthy.  She looks forward to school every day and is learning a lot.”

 

 

 

The Lynn Rotary Club will be holding a fund raiser at the Lazy Dog Restaurant on Sunday, March 15th, from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. We are asking each member to either donate or seek a donation for the raffle that we will be holding in conjunction with the fundraising event.  Tom Dill of the Lazy Dog said that we may make a few hundred dollars from the food and beverage proceeds; however, he noted that the greater revenue comes from having a raffle.  Please help in obtaining a donation for the raffle.  Several club members have already donated items for the raffle, but there is still a long way to go for a complete donation list by all members.  Please help make this fund raiser a success.

 

Also..... Don't forget to come and eat during that time, and bring your friends and family!  The more folks who come and eat at the restaurant, which features great food, the more our club will make on the food and the raffle.  Bring a crowd!