A couple Sundays ago we spent a few hours at a local charity called Feeding Children Everywhere. Our friends, who have worked with the charity before, had planned their daughter’s 5th birthday party there. We didn’t quite know what to expect but it seemed like a unique idea for our children to begin fostering a spirit of volunteerism so we were glad to participate.
CHILDREN WERE ENCOURAGED TO COLOR AND DECORATE THE PACKING BOXES AS WE PREPARED FOR THE PROJECT
Feeding Children Everywhere is a social charity that provides an opportunity for people and groups to contribute to the fight against hunger in our country and across the world. They specialize in mass production of prepackaged healthy meals that can feed families. Their SouthEast headquarters are in Longwood, FL (just outside the city of Orlando); they also have a large NorthEast location in Windsor, CT.
FRIENDLY STAFF VOLUNTEERS HELPED TO INSTRUCT THE LITTLE ONES HOW TO DO THEIR PART IN THE PACKING PROCESS
The headquarters are located in a large warehouse/office park. The space was open and airy with lots of blank space that can facilitate small or large groups working together on assembling packages. Our goal for the day was 6,000 meals or packages.
THE LENTIL CASSEROLE PACKAGE THAT WE WERE WORKING HARD TO REPLICATE
They had an easy assembly line set up. Today we were packaging a lentil casserole meal which was a mix of white rice, lentils, dried vegetables and pink Himalayan salt. The bags were filled with specific measurements of each item. Then the bags were weighed to ensure they contained the correct amount for the meal. Then the bags were sealed with a hot press and packaged in boxes.
The staff turned up some family friendly pop music and the energy in the warehouse was fun and excited. Children and adults alike had fun executing their specific roles on the assembly line. Our group had about 3 or 4 tables set up and the tables began to compete to see who could fill up the boxes that fastest. Every now and then a cheer would go up from one table or another as one team filled up another box, goading the other teams to catch up and work faster.
In the end, it was a surprisingly fun afternoon and the kids were begging to return the following week. The organization offers many opportunities for volunteers to join in with regular packing of meals; there is also the option for groups (churches, schools, social clubs) to plan their own packing events there. If you’re looking for a great opportunity to serve our community as a family or even as a group of friends, please consider joining Feeding Children Everywhere!
Have you ever been able to participate in a project like this? What community service projects have you been able to do as a family?
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