By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
A few hours of volunteer service in West End can change the lives of children thousands of miles away.
The Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event returns to West End Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Sept. 19. Volunteers from churches, civic organizations and the surrounding community will gather in the Crawford Center to package meals destined for communities around the world experiencing chronic hunger.
The Rev. Chip Pope has witnessed the global impact the organization has with his own eyes.
“On a mission trip to Haiti, I witnessed firsthand the difference Rise Against Hunger makes,” Pope said. “By providing meals for young students, Rise Against Hunger not only addresses physical hunger but also creates educational opportunities, as families are more likely to send their children to school when they know they will receive a meal. Giving a few hours to pack meals has a life-changing impact on these kids and is also a great opportunity for our community to come together for a greater purpose.”
Rise Against Hunger, headquartered in Raleigh and founded in 1998 as Stop Hunger Now, works in countries where food insecurity threatens families every day. The organization’s meal packing events rely on volunteers to assemble packages containing rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a packet of 20 vitamins and minerals. Each package provides five to six meals.
West End Presbyterian Church has partnered with the organization since 2012, hosting seven meal-packaging events over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the congregation continued to support the ministry financially even when traditional packaging events were suspended.
“WEPC has been partnering with Rise Against Hunger since 2012, when it was called Stop Hunger Now,” said event coordinator Mac Clark. “During Covid we contributed but did not pack meals. Yes, we missed some years as other events needed our attention as well, but we kept in touch and they knew the West End community was loyal to their efforts to feed and educate those in need.”
Over the years, volunteers have packed as few as 23,000 meals and as many as 63,500. Last year’s event brought together 155 volunteers who packaged 28,080 meals.
“But the feeling you have in your heart exiting the event doesn’t rely on counts or ledgers,” Clark said. “More simply, you were called and you answered.”
The mission team hopes to package up to 25,000 meals this year with approximately 100 to 120 volunteers. The end totals will depend on the number of volunteers and the amount of financial support received.
Mission Team Chair Jackie Kinney said the event reflects both the congregation’s commitment to global missions and the strength of the local community.
“With a lot of changes to foreign aid, this mission project allows us to have a hand in feeding the hungry in faraway places,” Kinney said. “It is vital that folks get fed around the world. Many of those who will be fed are children, and it just touches your heartstrings.”
Beyond the good provided to those experiencing hunger, the event is an opportunity for community members to work side by side.
“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 many opportunities for local churches to come together, and I love that part of it.”
Financial support and volunteers from local churches and organizations makes the event possible. As of July, Culdee Presbyterian Church, the Chapel in the Pines, Jackson Presbyterian Church, the Kiwanis Club of Seven Lakes, St. Mary Magdalene Eiscopal Church and West End United Methodist Church have partnered with WEPC in this effort. Chisholm Electrical will donate the electrical infrastructure required for the packing operation.
The congregation invites any interested churches, civic groups, businesses or individuations to join the efforts through financial contributions, volunteer participation or both.
This year’s event will be held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at West End Presbyterian Church, 275 Knox Lane, West End. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Some stations require standing while others are seated, making the event accessible to a wide range of participants.
Those interested in volunteering or donating can find registration information on the WEPC church website, www.westendpres.church as it becomes available. For additional information, contact WEPC at (910) 673-4341.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
