Rotary, Lions Clubs Invite Public to Aid in Rise Against Hunger Program

10,000 packages will feed 180,000 people in need

CROWLEY

Two local civic organizations are joining forces in an effort to provide food for 180,000 people. The Rise Against Hunger program is driven by the vision of a world without hunger and this year the Rotary Club of Crowley and the Crowley Lions Club are coming together to fill 30,000 meal packages on March 23 at the International Rice Festival Building. Tracy Young of the Rotary Club is chairing the event and he invited members of the Crowley City Council to attend the event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. “Last year we did 10,000 bags,” he said. “The bags contain rice, soy, dried vegetables and a number of vitamins. Each bag will feed six people and they’re sent to local areas and all over the world. Our’s went to Puerto Rico after the hurricane.” This year Young has upped the goal to 30,000 bags, thanks in part to the amount of help that turned out for the 2018 project. “Last year we had schedule four hours to do 10,000 bags,” he said. But we had 50 or 60 people show up and we got it done in two hours. That’s why we tripled our goal this year. “So come on out and bring your kids —12 and older — and show them how a community can come together to help others.” The mission of Rise Against Hunger is to end hunger in their lifetime by providing food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable and creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources. The program was created to give dedicated individuals and organizations the opportunity to participate in a “hands-on” international hunger-relief program. Volunteer are asked to arrive at the Rice Festival Building any time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to help package the meals. For more information, call Mary Zaunbrecher at (337) 207-9789 or LaKayla Stelly at (337) 224-2650