The final figures for the Kids Against Hunger food-packing event, Saturday, Oct. 22, at Verde Valley Fairgrounds, are staggering.
According to Kids Against Hunger Verde Valley Director Karen Freeman, 682 packers and over 150 volunteer workers from local schools, churches, banks, civic groups, Cottonwood Fire Department, Verde Valley Fire District, Verde Valley Ambulance, city of Cottonwood, veterans groups, seniors groups, Girl and Boy Scout troops and the community at large took part.
Most worked one two-and-a-half hour shift, but more than a few worked from 8 a.m to past 4:30 p.m., laboring three full shifts to make sure local and international families are well fed. Freeman herself had little time to spare as she directed efforts for Arizona’s only Kids Against Hunger satellite organization.
“[They came] from all over the Verde Valley and Yavapai County, and some came from as far as Lake Havasu,” Freeman said. “We had such a great response that we had to add an outside packing table.”
Freeman’s efforts this year were beyond successful: the ultimate tally for the day was 302,832 packed meals, exceeding the goal of 300,000 meals significantly.”
“Half of those meals will stay here in Yavapai County, to be distributed by Yavapai Food Council,” Freeman said, adding that any groups or individuals needing food supplies are encouraged to contact Kids Against Hunger Verde Valley at 649-5772.
The other half of the packed food will be shipped to Jubilee Blanc, an impoverished suburb of Gonaives, Haiti, though Freeman said her organization will also attempt to divert some to southern Haiti, which has been devastated by the effects of Hurricane Matthew.
“A small team is leaving for Haiti on [Friday] Nov. 4, and will be bringing donated funds, tarps and peanut butter collected at the event for Haiti relief efforts,” Freeman added. Kids Against Hunger Verde Valley is one of a few Kids Against Hunger satellites nationally that “follow the food,” making sure delivery is coordinated with local efforts in the affected country. “The rest will be shipped with our food.”
“Donations received at the event were greatly appreciated,” Freeman said. “However, they only covered half our costs …. Over 90 percent of all donations go to the cost of food, packing supplies and shipping expenses.”
Kids Against Hunger Verde Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations can be made out to “Kids Against Hunger,” PO Box 371, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 or online at kahverdevalley.org.
