Kids Against Hunger packs meals for Haiti

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ALEXANDRIA - They came, they helped, they packaged and they boxed up nearly 45,000 meals that will be shipped to the people of Haiti.

They included church youth groups and other organizations, businesses and community members anywhere between the ages of 4 and 84.

Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria organized a relief effort with Kids Against Hunger, packaging meals to be shipped over to Haiti.

The three-day effort took place Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Monday from about 1 to 3 p.m.

Monday’s effort was scheduled to go to 5 p.m., but according to Jody Johnson, program director at Luther Crest, “We ran out of food.”

Actually, noted Johnson, the Bible camp ran out of food on its first day, but organizers drove to Fergus Falls – another Kids Against Hunger satellite site – to pick up more food for the second day. After the second day, they ran out of food again, said Johnson, and had to make another trip to Fergus Falls to pick up even more food.

“It went extremely well,” said Johnson, who noted it was hard to plan for because she didn’t know how many people would show up to help.

She estimated on numbers, saying there were roughly 50 people helping on Saturday, about 40 on Sunday and more than 100 people on Monday.

Monday’s number was high, said Johnson, because a number of church youth groups came out to help, as well as a large crew from Tastefully Simple.

Johnson said she was overwhelmed at the outpouring of support and thanked all of those who lent a helping hand.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Johnson. “It was hard work, but it was fun hard work.”

Christy Schmahl, program coordinator at Luther Crest Bible Camp, explained that the meals that were packaged consisted of dried vegetables, soy, rice and chicken-flavored powder, which contained essential vitamins.

Each bag of food, which roughly costs $1, will feed six people, she added.

Both Johnson and Schmahl said donations are still being accepted and would be greatly appreciated.

Residents can donate directly to Luther Crest Bible Camp to help pay for the cost of the meals and the shipping.

Donations can be sent by mail to Luther Crest Bible Camp, c/o Kids Against Hunger, 8231 County Road 11 NE, Alexandria, MN 56308.

Donations can be made online as well at Luther Crest’s website at www.luthercrest.org.

In addition, donations can be made directly to Kids Against Hunger, P.O. Box 234, Stewart, MN 55385.

Tags: state and region, kids against hunger, daily updates, haiti