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Volunteers pack more than 75,000 meals

Hundreds of volunteers participate in food-packing event
Among the volunteers were players and coaches from the Sussex Academy soccer team. Shown in back are (l-r) Carmen Merrick, Deborah Williams, Tayler Flaherty, Grace Kilroy, Cate Brown, Samira Zahraoui and Jenica Jean-Louis. In front are Sarah Dina, Ashley Alvarez, Addyson Bleile, Natalie Roblero, Yuvia Velasquez, Riley Moriarity and RJ Dina. TED PFIRRMANN PHOTOS
Ted Pfirrmann
March 17, 2024

In collaboration with Rise Against Hunger, the second annual Community Wide Food Packaging Event turned out to be a resounding success. In a display of unity and compassion, 370 volunteers joined together in the Sussex Central High School cafeteria March 9 to package more than 75,000 meals. From families to community groups, the turnout reflected a shared commitment to making a difference in the fight against hunger.

Financial support for the food and shipping costs to get meals to needy children was provided by Grace United Methodist Church, Epworth United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, Mountaire, Community Bank Delaware, Long Neck Sunrise Rotary, Lewes-Rehoboth Beach Rotary, Georgetown Millsboro Rotary, Rehoboth Beach Sunrise Rotary, Southern Sussex Rotary, and numerous individual community contributors.

This event stands as a testament to the power of community-driven action in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges. Through collective compassion and unwavering dedication, Sussex County has demonstrated its commitment to creating a brighter, more equitable future for all.

 

Mike and Judy Hall are the brainchildren behind the initiative.
One of the many filling stations all set up and ready to go.
High-tempo music filled the cafeteria while the high-energy crowd got to work.
Judy Hall addresses the crowd at the start of the day, while Mike Hall listens.
Ryan Ehmts, regional manager for Rise Against Hunger’s Philadelphia office, speaks with the crowd and delivers instructions for completing the food packs.
Jeff Kitchen of the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club exemplifies the motto of Service Before Self.
Staffing the measuring table, the last step before packaging the boxes, are (l-r) Carol Gartman, Linda Veleber, Theresa Huffman and Joyce MacPhee.
An estimated 76,000 meals packs – each with rice, textured soy flour, dehydrated vegetables and vitamin packs – were prepared, weighed, sorted, boxed and shipped.
James Holmes is one of the last human hands to touch the packages of food before they reach their destinations.
Boxes of packaged food are prepared for loading onto box trucks.
Ryan Ehmts pulls one of the many pallets of food to be loaded into the truck.
A pair of box trucks were used to transport the food packs.

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