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By Aila Boyd
The eighth annual Rise Against Hunger food packing day is planned for this Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Buchanan Fire House.
Over the course of the two-hour event, volunteers will place nutrients, dried soy protein, and rice into plastic packages that are heat treated shut. Each packet includes six meals.
Meals that will be packed on Saturday will be sent to hurricane victims in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and Puerto Rico, as well as those in need all around the world.
“It’s a great event. We’ve had kids and people well into their eighties all turn out to help pack meals,” Skip Hastings, the former pastor of Buchanan Presbyterian Church, said.
Hannah Austin, a James River High School graduate, held the first packing day in 2012 after raising $5,000. During the first packing day nearly 100 individuals turned out to help package 20,000 meals.
She continued to head the effort for the next three years, but handed the reins over to the Wise Guys youth group and members of Lithia United Methodist and Trinity United Methodist churches.
Since 2018, Buchanan Presbyterian Church has sponsored the packing day. Last year, 85 individuals helped pack over 15,000 meals.
Organizers of the packing day urge those who plan on participating to wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, and a ball cap.
For more information about the packing day, contact Buchanan Presbyterian Church at 254-1390.
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