Many people are not aware of how big a problem hunger is across the globe. In Haiti, hunger is so prevalent that women walk five miles to collect clay in order to make “mud cookies” for their children to eat, so they will not starve to death.
The theme of the November 6 Stop Hunger Now event was bringing awareness to hunger issues like the one in Haiti. Rotary International member and North Carolina District Governor Timothy Mannix was one of the leaders for the event and a main advocate of world hunger awareness. Before the actual packaging began, Mannix made a speech to the group about awareness.
“Awareness is the first step in learning, and the first step in change. 30,000 people die of preventable hunger related causes and none of you in here gives sa damn. Now, which one of those statements bothers you the most?”
Mannix’s awareness speech included pictures of starving children, and made an impact on a lot of volunteers.
“That picture made me realize how important this [event] is because I observed firsthand the effects of malnourishment and hunger,” stated junior class treasurer Sun Park.
The day’s goal was to package 100,000 meals to be sent to several different countries affected by hunger. A room full of volunteers from all ages, clad in hair nets and singing along to music playing throughout the building, erupted into cheers every time a gong was rung, signaling another 1,000 meals packaged. Each meal packaged that day was enough to feed six people. The packages contained rice, soy, and dehydrated vegetables. No meat was included in the meals so religious conflicts would not be an issue. Once the packages are received, they must be simply boiled to become a hot meal.
Stop Hunger Now also had the goal of raising education within hunger related areas. Many of the packaged meals will be distributed at schools in hunger-affected countries, which will entice children to go to school.
“This is a huge success,” said Stop Hunger Now front runner and Student Advisory Council representative Brian Doll. “A lot more people came to help out than expected.”
Junior ICC Chair Molly Bremer was also impressed with Langley’s success. “We raised so much money for the food that is packaged, that it just made sense to come to this event and help out.”
Mannix told the volunteers at the beginning of the event, “You aren’t going to wipe out hunger today, but you will make a difference.” This statement rang true with the sound of the 100th gong of the day, incdicating the goal of packaging 100,000 meals had been achieved.
Langley students proved their dedication to change with their presence at this event, and their awareness helped to save lives.