Community Corner

Kids Against Hunger Food Packaging Event is Feb. 16-24

Over the past five years the Kids Against Hunger meal packing events in the St. Croix Valley alone have generated almost 3 million meals to feed people here and around the world.

How long does it take to package 650,000 meals?

If you're part of the upcoming Kids Against Hunger community meal packing event in Stillwater, a mere 10 days.

"Teamwork makes it happen," Tom Thiets, event organizer and Missions Director at Trinity Lutheran Church said. "When you get 2,000 people working toward a common goal, miraculous things happen."

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The concept is simple; the results are impressive. Volunteers sign up for two-hour shifts and work assembly-line style to package meals quickly and efficiently. People can sign up individually or as groups.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s one person, a family, a hockey team or a whole corporation,” Thiets said “Everyone pitches in to help put an end to hunger. We've had scout troops, businesses, birthday celebrations and groups from nearly 20 churches participate in the past. All are welcome.”

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The meals packed this year will be shipped to local food shelves, to Haiti and to New Jersey to help those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Over the past five years the Kids Against Hunger meal packing events in the St. Croix Valley alone have generated almost 3 million meals to feed people here and around the world. Since its inception, the greater Kids Against Hunger organization has provided nearly 1-billion meals to children and their families in 60 countries.

The event will take place February 16-24 at Andersen Window Corporation’s Oak Park Heights headquarters. Volunteers are asked to donate a minimum of $20 to help defray the cost of the ingredients.

Organizers are also looking for donations from individuals and organizations to help subsidize the event. “Volunteers donate $20 per person—but the true cost of the supplies winds up being closer to $50,” Thiets said. “So even if you can’t come out to do some actual packing, you can help through your financial support.”

To sign up to help pack meals, contact Chuck and Joan Newman at 651-436-8609.


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