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| Volunteers, donations, sponsorships sought for Oct. 11 250,000-meal Kids Against Hunger event |
Planning is now in full swing for the largest food-packaging event in the history of Manzanita Outreach/Verde Valley Kids Against Hunger. Manzanita Outreach/Verde Valley Kids Against Hunger will partner with the community to package 250,000 meals in a day-long event at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds Oct. 11. Since its first event in April 2011, VV Kids Against Hunger has packaged 575,248 meals. The majority of those meals have been distributed to combat childhood starvation in third-world countries: 361,800 meals have been sent to Haiti, 24,624 to Mexico and 23,760 were sent to the Philippines. The remaining 159,816 meals were distributed in the Verde Valley and Yavapai County. Between April 2011 and July 2014, 33.6 percent of the packaged meals were distributed to those in need in the Verde Valley and Yavapai County. In addition to the organization's food product for international distribution, at the Oct. 11 eventKids Against Hunger will package a new macaroni-and-cheese product that will be distributed 100-percent locally. Manzanita Outreach Board President Bob Shimko said, "We are very excited to now have the ability to package and distribute a food product designed specifically to address local needs. The community support we have received has allowed us to achieve amazing results in Haiti. However, we realize that there is a need right here at home and we know that the people of the Verde Valley are generous, compassionate, and committed to helping as needed. We would like everyone to come out on October 11th to make a difference." Two packing sessions remain for the Oct. 11 event: • Session 1 -- FULL • Session 2, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. • Session 3, 2-4:30 p.m. About 230 community volunteers will be needed to man the 20 packing lines for each session. In all, about 700 volunteers will be needed throughout the day. Food-packers must be at least 10 years old. In addition to the food-packaging event, on Friday, Oct. 10, 4 p.m., volunteers will be needed to help move supplies to the Fairgrounds and to set up the packing lines and food-staging areas. On Saturday, Oct. 11, volunteers will be needed for the following positions: registration, information table, line leaders, kitchen help, bin fillers, boxers, product movers and more. After the event is over, there will be another two to three hours of work for post-event break down. Financial donations to help pay the costs associated with this event are encouraged. Individuals desiring to make donations for the event, or to sign-up as volunteers can do so by visiting the Verde Valley Kids Against Hunger web site at kahverdevalley.org. Kids Against Hunger is also accepting $1,000 sponsorships for its Oct. 11 event. The tax-deductible sponsorships will pay for the costs of the food supplies that will be packaged at the Oct. 11 event and will allow community members, clubs and organizations to participate in the event for free. Individuals and companies who want to make tax-deductible sponsorships can do so by contacting Karen at 928-649-5772 or Bob at 928-300-3513. Additional information is available by email at kahverdevalley@gmail.com, by visiting the KAH web site at kahverdevalley.org or on Facebook at Kids Against Hunger - Verde Valley |
