Feed My Starving Children will get a helping hand to turn hunger into hope from local volunteers in October.
“It has been exciting to watch the community respond this year,” said Kelly Fields, Stayton High School Business teachers and the local volunteer event coordinator. “I think that they are really starting to understand the heart of the Feed My Starving Children MobilePack! They are eager to help.”
Volunteers are needed to help pack meals of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and nutritionally balanced vitamins and minerals, Fields said.
“FMSC provides the supplies and the community provides the funds and manpower to pack the meals, and during the set up and the clean up. There are also packing spots available during the 2 p.m. shift.
“Fundraising is going well… We are shy of our goal by just $5,429,” she added. “I have every confidence that the folks from the Santiam Canyon Community will provide those funds.”
Fields said this year’s goal is to pack 108,000 meals which will feed 298 children for a year. Last year, 1,105 community volunteers packed 972 boxes containing 210,065 meals, enough to feed 575 children for a year, she added.
The Santiam Canyon Feed My Starving Children MobilePack will be held Oct. 26 at the Stayton High School field house. The goal is to raise a total of $25,800 for meals.
“Those meals will be sent to … countries around the world,” Fields said. “Last year’s meals went to the Philippines and Thailand.”
Community members have five opportunities to assist: set up on Friday evening and/or packing on Saturday by signing up for a two-hour shift from 8-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., or 2-4 p.m. Clean up will be from 4 to 6 p.m.
Donations to date include: Bob and Jo Croff of Croff Construction, Larry Etzel, Todd and Brenda Gescher, Adam and Beth Anundi of Capital Pawn, Doerfler Farms, Inc., Jason Burns of Focus Heating, Stayton Builders Mart, Foothills Sports Camp and Kick Start Camp, and Chris Cooper of CW Specialty Lumber Co.
“Thanks to their generosity, community members can work side by side to help feed children around the world,” Fields said. “Our desire is to work together as a community to feed hungry kids around the world hence our tag line, ‘from the Santiam Canyon’s hands to the world’s mouths.’”
To volunteer, call Fields at 503-769-2171 ext. 6110. To donate, visit give.fmsc.org
