The University of Mississippi’s Feed the Hunger organization will be hosting its annual Pack-A-Thon Feb. 28-29 at the Jackson Avenue Center.
Feed the Hunger provides nutrient-rich food and necessities to more than 7,500 malnourished children in countries across the world and within the United States. “We’re trying to pack 140,000 meals, which costs $38,000,” said Kate Redding, Feed the Hunger student representative. “Right now we have about $20,000, so that’s why we’re still trying to encourage people to sign up.”
This year Feed the Hunger is partnering with local charities Lovepacks and More Than a Meal. A list of items that both organizations need people to bring is posted on Feed the Hunger’s Facebook page. Redding asks that everyone who plans to attend bring an item from the list.
“This event saves so many children’s lives and is a direct representation of how a lot of hard work can benefit so many people,” Feed the Hunger chairman Ashley Bigbie said. “Every person who participates is providing food for a child, who is most likely only able to receive this one meal a day, for an entire year. Participation from the community and all students and organizations on campus is vital to the success of this very deserving cause.”
Redding said people throughout the community have already signed up to participate in the upcoming event, and the diversity of groups ranges from churches and families to sororities and fraternities.
“Feed the Hunger is three things: feeding the physical, helping a child receive an education and feeding the spiritual – the word of God,” event coordinator Melinda Staples said. “It is also feeding the hunger within you, the event participant, to make a difference in a life. So many people search their entire life trying to fill that void within them and wanting to do something greater. Here is a way that they can fulfill that desire.”
According to Redding, the hands-on experience that Feed the Hunger provides its volunteers is what sets it apart from other charities.
“The reason that I love this and I’m behind it so much is because you actually get to deliver the food we pack,” Redding said. “It’s not like you’re just writing a check. It’s hands-on. You’re physically packing the food, and then your peers are actually delivering it.”
In the winter of 2012, Redding and her fellow student representative Casey Hice took a trip with Feed the Hunger to deliver packaged food in Haiti.
“You can’t even describe it unless you actually see the way that some of these people live. It’s just really incredible,” Redding said. “I mean, given their circumstances they’re so happy. You walk in and the kids are dancing and running around and screaming and laughing. They just want to be held and played with. They’re not just excited about the food. They’re excited for you to be there.”
The cost to participate in this year’s Pack-A-Thon is $65. To sign up or learn more about upcoming volunteer events, contact olemissfth@gmail.com.
— Lacey Russell
llrusse2@go.olemiss.edu
