The following was written and submitted by Ann Chase.
On September 14, 220 volunteers from West End Presbyterian Church and partner churches Chapel in the Pines, Seven Lakes Baptist Church and West End United Methodist Church as well as others from the community came together to package 55,080 meals at the Rise Against Hunger event. This response and result indicate a caring community giving time in an effort to end worldwide hunger. Many thanks for the leadership of Mac Clark, who organized the event, and all who contributed that morning including Chisholm Electric in West End for meeting he power requirements that are needed for this event as they have in the past.
A report was recently received from Rise Against Hunger announcing that the meals packaged here were part of a shipping container holding 285,120 meals sent to Madagascar to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency there. This organization nourishes lives through food assistance and other services in Madagascar. Featured in the notice was a picture of a 12 year old boy sharing his gratitude in these words: “Now that I benefit from the Rise Against Hunger meals, I eat lunch at school and no longer feel hungry during classes. Eating meals at school is also joyful because I can sit with my friends and talk about funny things while eating”.
The report also noted that since 2005, volunteers have helped in the distribution of over 455 million meals worldwide. West End Presbyterian Church has sponsored this event since 2012 supported by local partner churches. The contributions from the local West End/Seven Lakes area now total 399,280 meals.
West End Presbyterian Church is located at 275 Knox Lane. Contact the church at (910)-673-4341 or at www.westendpres.church.
