Church looks for help in feeding the hungry

service ministry. “It’s open to all ages. We have a job for everybody.”

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church held a tasting event on Sunday. But it wasn’t the typical wine and cheese gathering you’d normally find on St. Armands Circle; congregation members were tasting a vitamin-fortified, rice, soy and vegetable mix.

Not only did it have flavor, but the church will be feeding thousands of hungry people with the pre-packaged mix.

Members raised $6,800 to hold a packaging event for Kids Against Hunger. They’re looking for 100 volunteers to pack and seal 3,500 bags, which works out to feed either 21,000 adults or 42,000 children.

The event is being held at the church, 40 N. Adams Drive, from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 11.

“Anyone can show up. Even teenagers and children can do this. They can participate because a lot of schools do this as well,” said Ann Walborn, chair of the community

When the project came about, the rice packs were going to be sent to Ukraine, but the church is leaning toward keeping them local now. Organizations in Fort Myers are being discussed since Hurricane Ian left so many people homeless, and two Sarasota/Manatee organizations are also being considered: Feeding Empty Little Tummies and Second Chance Last Opportunity.

“People didn’t realize the hunger needs in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” Walborn said. “I think it’s been an educational process that people are beginning to see that there are incredible needs here.”

Now that the fundraising is over, contributing only requires a couple hours of scooping and funneling. Supplies, gloves, bags and funnels are provided.

Kids Against Hunger’s mission is to eradicate world hunger.

“We’re keeping people alive. If you want to talk about kids and hunger, there are approximately 16,500 that die every day from hunger. That’s about one every six seconds,” Executive Director Todd Clevenger said.

“I’ll count to six, and another child died. So if we’re doing 42,000 meals, we’re feeding three days’ worth of children. If you think about it that way, it’s phenomenal.”