Byhalia UMC prepares 10,000 meals

Sixty-eight volunteers gathered at the United Methodist Church in Byhalia on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to prepare meals for the “Rise Against Hunger” project.

Teamwork was outstanding and the results could be seen in their work. The volunteers prepared 10,000 meals in an hour and a half.

“This group has one of the best setups ever,” said John Corso, coordinator for the project.

Rise against Hunger is an international hunger relief non-profit organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable. It was founded as Stop Hunger Now in 1998 by Ray Buchanan a United Methodist minister.

There was a job for everyone. The youngest volunteers carried the boxes, teenagers helped prep, pack, and label the boxes, and some of the more seasoned volunteers sat at tables sealing the packages. Each bag received several items: rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a flavoring mix.

“It includes 23 essential vitamins and minerals made into small meal packages,” Corso said.

Every worker wore gloves and a hair covering, and all were smiling and happy to be a part of the event.

The Rise Against Hunger organization impacted 1.4 million with meals and other aid in 2017.

“One in ten people in these countries do not know where their next meal is coming from,” said Corso. “Families are fed and the adults are taught essential farming skills to enable them to grow their food.”