Hundreds of volunteers gathered together to package more than 18,000 meals to fight childhood hunger in the Smithfield-Selma area during a Generosity Feeds event on Dec. 15.
More than 400 volunteers from Johnston County Public Schools, LifeSpring Church of Smithfield, and the community, gathered at Smithfield Middle to package the meals in a four hour span.
The Smithfield-Selma area schools – which are Innovation Academy at South Campus, Selma Elementary, Selma Middle, Smithfield Middle, Smithfield-Selma High, South Smithfield Elementary, West Smithfield Elementary, and Wilson’s Mills Elementary – partnered with LifeSpring Church to plan, organize, and host the event.
“It was incredible to work with people from all various aspects of the community and come together with the one mission of serving, building, and giving back,” said Smithfield Middle Principal Heather Anders.
LifeSpring Church led the charge of finding sponsors for the Generosity Feeds event, collecting more than $18,000 in donations. Every $1 that was raised paid for one meal for a child in need, according to Anders.
Each family in need will receive one packaged box, which includes 50 meals. Each meal is made up of black beans, rice, a beef-based roux, and a vegetable mix.
Local school counselors and administrators assessed the needs of their students, and decided which children will receive the meals based on greatest need.
The boxes will be delivered to the children and their families before Christmas.
