Join

Volunteers Pack Nearly 90,000 Meals for Poor

Meals for hungry packed at Manassas Park Community Center

 

Volunteers packed nearly 90,000 meals for the poor during the House of Mercy’s fourth annual “Campaign to End Hunger” fundraiser and meal-packing event, Oct. 18 at the Manassas Park Community Center.

Although falling short of the nonprofit humanitarian organization’s goal of 150,000 meals packed during this year’s all-day event, the total is still “a success in our book,” said House of Mercy Executive Director Ann Cimini. “Through the generosity of hundreds of people and our corporate sponsors, we’ve been able to serve the poorest of God’s children,” she said.

The agency, located in Manassas, Va., shipped 78,408 of the meals to the Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center, which will distribute them in Christmas baskets to families in need in Kentucky’s impoverished Appalachian region, Cimini said.

The center, located in Louisa, Ky., is an interdenominational nonprofit organization that has served about 10,000 Kentucky mountain residents, said Cimini. The Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center, which is an apostolate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Ky., distributes food, clothing and furniture to low-income families in its area and provides four charity thrift stores with donated merchandise for sale, she said.

Appalachia’s poor were the designated primary recipients of meals packed during this year’s campaign, held in conjunction with events for the United Nations’ World Food Day, Oct. 16.

In addition, 11,196 meals of beans and rice packed during Campaign to End Hunger 2014 are bound this month for two impoverished villages in Honduras, Cimini said. The campaign goal was to pack 30,000 meals for those communities, but achieving that, along with this year’s objective of 120,000 meals to Appalachia, depended upon how many people signed up to pack meals during the event, she said.

More than 270 volunteers participated in this year’s Campaign to End Hunger, including 207 who each paid the event’s $35 fundraising fee per two-hour shift to pack meals during the campaign, said Cimini. The event had 320 meal-packing shifts available, she said.

Cimini said that she is disappointed, but not surprised at the lower participation than organizers hoped for. “We changed our fundraising strategy this year for the event,” she said. “Although Campaign to End Hunger has always been a fundraiser, we’ve had enough corporate sponsors in the past to allow the majority of folks willing to pack meals during the campaign to pack at no cost. We lost sponsors this year, and, with it, the capacity for us to offer the free packing.”

The 2014 campaign raised about $25,000 in contributions from individual participants and corporate sponsors, Cimini said. Contributions covered the event’s costs, including raw food ingredients, packing supplies, advertising, fees and shipping, she said. Remaining contributions after campaign expenses are met will help fund the agency’s operating costs and community programs throughout the year, Cimini said.

Campaign sponsors included Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Bristow, Va., and National Vendor Management Services, Inc. (NVMS), TS&T (Traffic Systems and Technology) and Able Moving and Storage, all located in Manassas, Va. Several local businesses also provided meal packers for the event, said Cimini.

“We are so grateful to our sponsors and participants for making this event possible,” she said. “All of these organizations and people understand that the health of us as a town and a community depends on all of us acting together to assist those who need our help.”

To learn more about the House of Mercy, call 703-659-1636 or visit houseofmercyva.org.

Recent Stories

“Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s veto of a bill that would have allowed young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to become police officers was met with disappointment from Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham, who pushed for the measure and went to Richmond to support it.”

Fire and rescue crews were called to a fire at Lake Ridge Orthodontics today, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 5:31 a.m.

“On Monday night, the Moss Free Clinic issued a statement regarding its future, “proudly announcing its continued independence as a beacon of hope and healthcare for the underserved in the Fredericksburg area.”

As a slow-moving cold front creeps across the Mid-Atlantic region, residents can expect unsettled weather with showers and the potential for thunderstorms.

Are you facing life’s challenges, feeling overwhelmed, or seeking personal growth? Embrace the path to emotional well-being with our expert psychotherapy services!

Why Choose Us?

Our team of compassionate and experienced psychotherapists is here to guide you on your journey to inner peace, self-discovery, and positive change. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Dreaming of small-town charm with big-city convenience? Look no further than 7156 Main St in Clifton, Virginia! Nestled just 30 miles from the heart of Washington D.C., this picturesque property offers the best of both worlds.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city to find tranquility in this quaint, historic town. With its tree-lined streets and friendly community atmosphere, Clifton is the perfect place to call home. Yet, with its close proximity to the nation’s capital, you’ll never be far from the excitement and opportunities of urban living.

Imagine weekends exploring local shops, dining at charming cafes, and enjoying outdoor adventures in nearby parks. Then, commute to D.C. for work or play, soaking in all the culture, entertainment, and career opportunities the city has to offer.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Van Metre 5K Run

Participate in the 32nd Annual Van Metre 5K Run, a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, and every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and

×

Subscribe to our mailing list