Help Package 30,000 Meals for Kids on Saturday, April 29

Bob Cassidy is one of the Bedford Rotarians who has been packing meals since the Club started its annual tradition in 2013. So far the Rotary Club of Bedford, along with the help of the Bedford community, has packed about 425,000 meals.

Submitted by Rotary Club of Bedford

One of the Rotary Club of Bedford’s favorite activities is our annual Meals for Kids meal packaging event with Rise Against Hunger. It’s a fun, high-energy activity for people of all ages and abilities. We package rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and flavorings, including 21 vitamins and minerals, into small meal packages. They are then shipped around the world to hungry schoolchildren in some of the poorest developing countries.

Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization, is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies. With locations across the U.S. and five international offices, the organization provides immediate nourishment for those facing hunger today and implements sustainable solutions that will lift entire communities for years to come. Rise Against Hunger has facilitated volunteer meal packaging of more than 540 million meals to be distributed to countries around the world.

Over 67.6 Million meals have been distributed worldwide by the international hunger relief organization Rise Against Hunger. Access to a school lunch keeps kids in school allowing them to receive an education and break the cycle of poverty.

A major goal of this event and thousands like it is to encourage parents to send their children to school. To escape the cycle of poverty, history has shown that a country must achieve at least a 40% literacy rate. Rise Against Hunger meals provide more than nourishment. They also provide a powerful incentive for children to stay in school.

At the Rotary Club of Bedford’s April 29 Meals for Kids meal packaging event, we will have two volunteer shifts- 9 to 11 a.m. and 12 to 2 p.m. The event location, Lexington Knights of Columbus, 177 Bedford Street, is handicap accessible. Community members can sign up here: http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/BedfordRotary2023. Financial donations to support Rise Against Hunger are not required, but can also be made using this link.

Please consider bringing a donation for the Middlesex Community College Food Pantry with you to the event on April 29! The MCC Food Pantry supports students and staff year-round, and is most in need of personal items, toiletries, and paper goods. Check out their Amazon wish list for ideas and to ship to MCC directly if you prefer!

Partnering with the Rotary Club of Bedford on April 29 will be the Rotary Club of Lexington, and two student groups- the Interact Club of Concord/Carlisle and the Interact Club of Carlisle.

Looking for a corporate service opportunity? This event is a great team-building option for businesses and organizations to participate in a service project with their employees! Bedford Rotary is seeking corporate sponsors for our Meals For Kids meal packaging event. With your help we will be able to reach our goal of raising $12,000 to package 30,000 meals together! All sponsors will be mentioned in event publicity before and after the event. Exhibit tables will be available for sponsors to display materials about their organization at the event. Major donors are encouraged to provide a large banner to hang at the event. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, or in joining us to package meals as a corporate team building event, contact Dawn Kociubes!