By Rob Novit
AUGUSTA - More than 300 people gathered at the Christenberry Fieldhouse at Augusta State University, preparing packaged meals that will be sent overseas to families in Zambia.
In just 90 minutes, the participants in assembly lines placed rice, shelf-stable vegetables and other protein-rich food into small plastic bags. Other volunteers, including kids, served as "runners," bringing trays with the bagged food to other tables where volunteers were securing the bags to get them ready for shipping.
That food will serve thousands of hungry children in that struggling nation, where many kids may not get anything to eat over a full day.
"It's fulfilling to know that the food will be going to help them," said Aiken Sunrise Rotary officer Andrew Marine. "It was great that we could have a part to play in putting together the food and help solve the problem of hunger. You can do many more things with this food, providing the kind of nutrition that we take for granted."
The event was sponsored by the Atlanta office of the international organization "Stop Hunger Now," in conjunction with Rotary clubs in the Augusta and Aiken areas. Members of the Aiken Sunrise Club - including president John Walker and Rotary District 7750 assistant governor Carmen Landy - participated in the event. They were joined by five members and adviser Kathleen Rogerson of South Aiken High School's Interact Club, which is sponsored by Aiken Sunrise. Debora Jackson joined the high school service organization this year.
"I really like this club and that we're able to go out and do things for other people," Jackson said. "It's eye-opening that each small bag we filled will serve six people."
Interact provides service opportunities in the Aiken community, including the residential shelter Helping Hands. Club member Sydney Goodlove also has served a volunteer at ACTS for the past four years.
"We always enjoy helping others," she said. "This really impacts people, and I'm glad to be here."
Sunrise member Denny McGurer appreciates the connection between hunger and education, as a child who has little or no food cannot concentrate in a classroom.
"Hunger is everywhere," McGurer said. "It's well worth a Saturday morning to do this."
The Sunrise club members enjoy doing community service projects, and this one was especially meaningful, said John Walker.
"These projects are really fun, along with the opportunity to help those who are so unfortunate," he said.
Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001. He is a native of Walterboro and majored in journalism at the University of Georgia.![]()
AUGUSTA - More than 300 people gathered at the Christenberry Fieldhouse at Augusta State University, preparing packaged meals that will be sent overseas to families in Zambia.
In just 90 minutes, the participants in assembly lines placed rice, shelf-stable vegetables and other protein-rich food into small plastic bags. Other volunteers, including kids, served as "runners," bringing trays with the bagged food to other tables where volunteers were securing the bags to get them ready for shipping.
That food will serve thousands of hungry children in that struggling nation, where many kids may not get anything to eat over a full day.
"It's fulfilling to know that the food will be going to help them," said Aiken Sunrise Rotary officer Andrew Marine. "It was great that we could have a part to play in putting together the food and help solve the problem of hunger. You can do many more things with this food, providing the kind of nutrition that we take for granted."
The event was sponsored by the Atlanta office of the international organization "Stop Hunger Now," in conjunction with Rotary clubs in the Augusta and Aiken areas. Members of the Aiken Sunrise Club - including president John Walker and Rotary District 7750 assistant governor Carmen Landy - participated in the event. They were joined by five members and adviser Kathleen Rogerson of South Aiken High School's Interact Club, which is sponsored by Aiken Sunrise. Debora Jackson joined the high school service organization this year.
"I really like this club and that we're able to go out and do things for other people," Jackson said. "It's eye-opening that each small bag we filled will serve six people."
Interact provides service opportunities in the Aiken community, including the residential shelter Helping Hands. Club member Sydney Goodlove also has served a volunteer at ACTS for the past four years.
"We always enjoy helping others," she said. "This really impacts people, and I'm glad to be here."
Sunrise member Denny McGurer appreciates the connection between hunger and education, as a child who has little or no food cannot concentrate in a classroom.
"Hunger is everywhere," McGurer said. "It's well worth a Saturday morning to do this."
The Sunrise club members enjoy doing community service projects, and this one was especially meaningful, said John Walker.
"These projects are really fun, along with the opportunity to help those who are so unfortunate," he said.
Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001. He is a native of Walterboro and majored in journalism at the University of Georgia.