Volunteers needed for Stop Hunger Now program at Canterbury

As part of the annual Stop Hunger Now national campaign, more than 1,000 volunteers will gather at Canterbury United Methodist Church this month to assemble 500,000 meals for children in lesser developed countries and aid in disaster relief.

Stop Hunger Now has seen more than 100,000 volunteers package more than 30 million meals in its seven-year history. Last year, the volunteer assembly program at Canterbury packed 142,560 meals in 12 hours. The meals were delivered to schoolchildren in Honduras, providing them food for an entire month.

Meals include a combination of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix that includes 21 vitamins and minerals divided into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 25 cents. The food stores easily, has a shelf life of five years and transports quickly.

Volunteers will gather in two-hour shifts at Canterbury on Wednesday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 21 between 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. to package meals. Additional “power hours,” 7-10 p.m. on Wednesday, will offer volunteers 18 and older the opportunity to work at an accelerated pace. Tasks, among others, involve scooping dried food, lifting heavy boxes and sorting containers.

“Our combined resources – both in volunteers and finances – will result in a tremendous accomplishment for the fight against hunger,” said Rachel Estes, outreach director at Canterbury.

Estes added that volunteers from the community are needed to accomplish the goal of 500,000 meals.

“There are opportunities for every age and skill level, such as Boy Scouts, garden clubs, sports teams, Bible clubs, book clubs, supper clubs, families and anyone wanting to participate in a meaningful outreach project,” she said.

Some shifts will offer childcare. Volunteers are asked to sign up in advance by emailing Ellen Thomas at Ellen.Thomas@canterburyumc.org. Canterbury is located at 350 Overbrook Road.

Those wishing to make donations can contact Rachel Estes at Rachel.Estes@canterburyumc.org or call 871-4695.

For more, visit events.stophungernow.org/5churchesBirmingham. Saint Luke’s Episcopal, Brookwood Baptist, Vestavia Hills United Methodist and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Churches are also participating.