N.C. State’s Center for Student Leadership Ethics and Public Service and Stop Hunger Now held a meal-packaging event Saturday to reach their goal of packaging and shipping more than 100,000 meals.
More than 600 people volunteered, through N.C. State student organizations. Other Raleigh-based organizations contributed volunteers and funding to the event. CSLEPS members hit a gong every time 5,000 meals were boxed.
According to Amanda Itliong, director of CSLEPS, Service N.C. State is a one-day, large-scale project, and because the event featured more than 100,000 meals, it’s considered one of Stop Hunger Now’s major events.
N.C. State is a long-time partner with Stop Hunger Now, according to Dawn Morgan, a coordinator for CSLEPS and Service N.C. State.
“[Saturday’s event was] an opportunity to be involved in something that affects people all over the world.” Morgan said.
Chris Adkins, an event facilitator for Stop Hunger Now and N.C. State alumnus, volunteered for Service N.C. State when he was a student, and he said he enjoyed coming back to campus to see that Service N.C. State’s meal packaging event is going strong.
“It’s about the impact, not just the ‘Band-Aid’ solution of 105,000 meals.” Adkins said. “We change lives forever and improve developing countries.”
Volunteers who signed up to package meals were asked to donate or raise $25 to participate in the event. Those who showed interest and couldn’t raise $25 were helped by CSLEPS, according to Morgan.
One packaged meal contained six servings and cost 25 cents each. The meals are targeted to support transformational development programs such as feeding programs for school children, vocational training programs, early childhood development programs, orphanages and medical clinics around the world.
According to Morgan, $25 enabled 100 meals to be packaged, and $25,000 was raised in order to hold the event. More donations were accepted during the event, and there will be time to donate after the event and on the website.
More than 70 people volunteered to set up for Service N.C. State. The four stations in the meal packaging process consisted of funneling, sealing, boxing and carrying the boxes to the truck.
Packaged meals included soy beans, rice, dry vegetables and a vitamin mineral packet with 21 essential nutrients, according to Jan Rivero, university relations officer for Stop Hunger Now. Rivero said she hopes the meals impact malnourished children and incentivize them to go to school. The food should improve the overall health of the children, which should cause them to learn more in class, according to Rivero.
“You gain so much happiness from helping out,” said Laura Pfaff, junior in architecture and CSLEPS member. “It’s a good event to bring the community together and help countries around the world.”
Pfaff said members of CSLEPS thought of different ways to improve the event by giving trivia questions and asking for feedback. Pfaff said she created the playlist to keep the environment upbeat and energetic.
“I’m very proud of my committee, the N.C. State community, and community partners.” Morgan said. “Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.”
