The Central Texas chapter of Kids Against Hunger, an international faith-based organization that feeds children in the U.S. and throughout the world, is sponsoring its first workday on Saturday, July 11.
Boy Scouts are leading the charge to package 28,000 meals as part of the newly organized Central Texas chapter, the fifth in Texas. The food bags will then be shipped to areas where childhood malnutrition is rampant. Two-thirds of the shipments go overseas; the rest is distributed in the U.S.
Volunteers of all ages will pour measured cups of food into bags by the hour from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the former El Divino Salvador United Methodist Church building, 204 N. Fourth St., across from First United Methodist Church.
The local chapter is being coordinated by Lamar and Judy Eidson and Jerry and Madiene Gibson.
At the first session will be a representative from the national headquarters in New Hope, Minn.
Eidson said he became interested after seeing a news report on “The Jim Lehrer News Hour.” The Eidsons and Gibsons were concerned about world hunger, especially among children. The program appealed to him because the meals were nutritionally balanced for growing young bodies.
“They have developed the right formula with all the right vitamins, minerals and proteins mixed with rice, dried vegetables and beans.” The Kids Against Hunger concept also appealed to him because it involves several generations working together. “Generally, kids eight years old and up can work,” Eidson said.
Although the efforts are frequently coordinated through churches, some Kids Against Hunger chapters are sponsored by scout troops and civic organizations such as Kiwanis and Rotary. Kids Against Hunger provides instructions, supplies and logistics.
When all the packages are ready, Kids Against Hunger arranges shipping. The organization establishes connections with the U.S. military, so international shipping costs, often a major expense, are minimized.
During a typical session, volunteers measure rice, dried vegetables and soy protein into packets. Each packet, when reconstituted with water, provides the protein and nutrients a starving child will need.
Eidson said that Kids Against Hunger does not fill empty stomachs and walk away. The group has also formed partnerships with other organizations in impoverished regions to set up schools and medical clinics as well as introduce efficient food-producing methods suited for their areas.
The non-profit organization began a decade ago by successful entrepreneur Richard Proudfit, who observed firsthand Honduran poverty while serving on a medical mission. That led him to combine his religious commitment with his business acumen to feed starving children.
Proudfit consulted with Cargill, Pillsbury, General Mills and Archer Daniels Midland to formulate a food that would meet nutritional requirements of severely malnourished children for their physical growth and mental development. Together they developed a balanced, high-nutrition food that can reverse the starvation process and restore a child’s health and mental alertness.
After this initial shipment is completed, Eidson hopes that volunteers, churches and civic groups will raise funds for the ingredients. These donations can be outright, tax-deducible gifts or sponsorships.
pbenoit@temple-telegram.com
