Stop Hunger Now and Raggio Custom Calls are joining forces in the fight against hunger. More than 50 volunteers will package meals for the world’s hungry at 1 PM on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, 100 Mount Salus Rd, Clinton, MS. Stop Hunger Now meal packaging events are a volunteer-based program that coordinates the streamlined packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables and 23 essential vitamins and minerals.
“I had the pleasure of attended my first meal packing event roughly five years ago at Crossgates United Methodist Church,” said Josh Raggio, owner of Raggio Custom Calls. “After participating in that event, I knew that if I was ever in a position to contribute in a big way, Stop Hunger Now would be the organization I would support.”
Around the world, nearly 805 million people lack adequate food. Stop Hunger Now operates meal packaging locations in 19 cities throughout the U.S. and five international locations in South Africa, Malaysia, the Philippines, Italy and India. More than 450,000 volunteers from corporations, churches, schools and civic organizations have packaged Stop Hunger Now meals.
Founded in 1998, Stop Hunger Now has delivered aid and disaster relief supplies in the form of food, medical supplies, clothing, school supplies and more to thousands of disaster victims and other hungry and vulnerable people in 65 countries.
“The reality is hunger affects millions of children and adults every day,” said Raggio. “Like a lot of us, I personally don’t know the true feeling of wondering where my next meal will come from. We are among the blessed that probably take food for granted. Stop Hunger Now is on the front lines of battling hunger around the country and around the world.”
Raggio started making hand-made duck calls as a hobby in his garage. Through the sale of duck calls and cash donations, he was able to fund the 12,000-meal packaging event.
“What we want everyone to know is that hunger is solvable and is the common thread among the world’s most challenging issues,” said Rod Brooks, President and CEO of Stop Hunger Now. “When hunger is targeted, you give leverage and hope to every other cause including poverty, disease, education and the welfare of women and children.”