WDMUMC participates in Meals from the Heartland

{Friday's team packing meals and enjoying the hair nets}

West Des Moines based Meals From the Heartland (MFTH) held its 2012 Hunger Fight at HyVee Hall in Des Moines August 29 – September 1.  The goal for the four-day event was to package 5 MILLION meals – an increase of 25% over last year’s goal.

By the end of final day (Saturday), the goal had been surpassed.  JUST OVER 5.1 MILLION MEALS HAD BEEEN PACKAGED!

Since 2008, MFTH has packaged over 22 MILLLION meals.

{packets}

Each meal packet consists of rice, soy protein, dried vegetables, and vitamins.  When prepared, a packet provides enough nutritional food to feed 6 people.

The meal packets produced are distributed around the world, elsewhere in the United States, and even here in Central Iowa to assist people in need.  Each package, when prepared, supplies enough food to feed six people.  A package costs only $1.20 to make.

A total of 28 people from WDMUMC, each worked a two-hour shift packaging meals at the Hunger Fight on either August 30 or 31.   

{Team 1 on Thursday night}

There was a buzz, and sense of anticipation among the crowd of workers in HyVee Hall.  There was lots of chatter going on as the volunteers worked side-by-side with their friends, relatives, and neighbors.  People seemed to be enjoying themselves. 

It was obvious that everyone assembled there wanted to help MFTH meet their goal for this year’s Hunger Fight event.  Loud cheers arose across the hall as updated meal counts were flashed upon the big screen at the end of the room.  There was certainly a sense of ‘one-ness’ or community present in the assembly.

But, a deeper sense of purpose could also be felt.  People were there that night because they wanted to stretch beyond themselves, and become a part of something much bigger than themselves.  They wanted to stretch and grow, and do something with their hands that could help feed hungry people in need – perhaps someone on the other side of the globe!

{Kevin Daniels seals packets}

As I carefully heat-sealed the meal packets assembled by my team, several questions went through my mind:  Who would eventually be opening and using that food packet?  Where does that person live?   What are that person’s circumstances, and what does the future hold for him or her?  

In the end, it was gratifying to know that my actions were playing a small part in helping to relieve someone else’s suffering. 

Thank God for MFTH, the people who organized the 2012 Hunger Fight, and the thousands of volunteers who came together as one common body over four days to make the event the huge success that it was!

Again, thank you to each of these volunteers who took time out from their busy schedules to help the cause!

Paul Gesell, WMDUMC member

MFTH holds smaller meal packaging events throughout the year.  There is a continuing need for funds to purchase supplies needed to assemble the meals.  Donations are still being sought to help meet the $2,000 pledge that the Mission Committee has made to MFTH on behalf of our church.   You can make checks out to the church, just be sure to note MFTH on the memo line.  Remember that a donation of only $20 will feed 100 people.