By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
Neighbors and friends from greater Seven Lakes will rise against hunger this Sept. 20. West End Presbyterian Church is hosting a meal-packing event to bring congregations and organizations together in a common cause.
Working with “Rise Against Hunger,” an international hunger relief organization headquartered in Raleigh, the congregation’s mission team expects to pack between 25,000 and 30,000 meals in about two hours with the help of volunteers.
Each meal package feeds five to six people and includes rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a packet of 20 vitamins and minerals.
WEPC hosted the events annually from 2012 through 2019. Pastor Chip Pope, who previously served the church as associate pastor, planted the seed for the idea with the congregation after experiencing a meal-packing event at a youth conference. Former church member Holton Easter ran with the project.
At WEPC’s last event before Covid-19, volunteers packed 55,080 meals. The Rise Against Hunger organization modified its packing events during the pandemic years, but the format was challenging for the church to accommodate.
Coordinating the event is Deacon Mac Clark. Mission team chairperson and Elder Jackie Kinney is the event’s cheerleader.
The mission team opens its meetings with scripture readings to remind the members of their calling to serve others at home and beyond to make the world a better place. One of Kinney’s favorites is from Philippians chapter 2, verse three: “Help me be your hands and heart dear Lord.”
This community-wide endeavor seeks to be part of such a living prayer.
“With a lot of changes to foreign aid, this mission project allows us to have a hand in feeding the hungry in far away places. It is vital that folks get fed around the world,” said Kinney. “Many of those who will be fed are children. And it just touches your heartstrings.”
The mission team has reached out to members of the community to partner with them through financial donations and volunteers. The cost for the meals will range between $10,000 and $12,500. And at least 100-120 volunteers will be required.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response from the community,” said Kinney. “And we have a really good mission team who felt we could do this.”
Participating organizations as of the end of August include Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, Biscko Presbyterian Church, West End United Methodist Church, Carthage Presbyterian Church, Cub Scout Pack 98, St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, Love Grove AME Zion Methodist Church, End Time Harvest Church, Solid Rock Ministry, the Kiwanis Club of Seven Lakes and Culdee Presbyterian Church.
Volunteers are needed to help with the event set up from 8-9 a.m. and to package meals from 9 to around 11 a.m. on Sept. 20. There are some job stations that require standing and other jobs that can be done sitting.
Clark describes the event as “high energy.” When the room is full of people and the music is going and the gong celebrating every thousandth meal is struck, the time quickly passes. “It’s a fun atmosphere,” he said.
The intergenerational character of this event makes it special. There are jobs for all ages and abilities.
This is an opportunity to do a good thing for others, but it also has benefits for the local community. Clark is gratified to see the community spirit rally around this project like it did last year when responding to the needs of western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts. “Here in West End, this is the kind of people we are,” said Clark.
Kinney concurs. “I think the community aspect of it with all of us coming together for a common purpose, and having a chance to get to know each other and spend time with each other is great,” she said. “Because we don’t have opportunities for local churches to come together. And I love that part of it.”
The event will be held in the Crawford Center located behind the sanctuary at 275 Knox Lane, West End.
Individuals or organizations who are interested in participating may donate and/or register online by Sept. 10 at events.riseagainsthunger.org/WestEndPres25. Scroll down the webpage register. Call West End Presbyterian Church at 910-673-4341 for more information.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
