Philadelphia >> Feeding the hungry never looked so efficient.
As part of the ongoing World Meeting of Families, hundreds of volunteers, including over 200 students from Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools, packaged more than 200,000 meals for West African families in need Wednesday. The service project benefitted the Helping Hands initiative, a partnership with Catholic Relief Services and Stop Hunger Now.
“It’s an amazing event,” said Stephanie Bosse, program coordinator for Catholic Relief Services Helping Hands. “It’s amazing to be a part of the day of service during the World Meeting of Families, to see families from all over the world come together.”
Groups of five, each one wearing a hair net and gloves, worked on an assembly line. They funnelled vitamin packets, cups of soy, dehydrated vegetables and rice into plastic bags that were then boxed up. Those boxes will soon be shipped to Burkina Faso, the third poorest country in the world, to feed starving people in that region, Bosse said. Each sound of a gong signified that 3,000 meals had been packaged, followed by a roar of applause from the volunteers. About 40 minutes into the project, over 18,000 meals had already been packaged.
“We do this event across the country, and so normally we see people in parishes and that’s beautiful. But to see it like this, to see it international, all these people coming together, the mayor is here, media – it’s really phenomenal,” Bosse said.
Students were certainly thrilled to lend a hand during the event.
Alexandra Lipscomb, a junior at St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia, said she felt lucky to give back to those less fortunate as she packed and weighed bags of rice.
“I think it’s good,” she said. “It’s nice to get involved.”
Frank Levins, from Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, said his group of friends had a goal of filling over 1,000 bags Wednesday.
“It’s really great,” the 17-year-old said. “We’re helping needy people in other countries.”
Others came from outside the Philadelphia area, like Joey Isakson, 17, from Indianapolis, Ind.
“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s kind of cool to see people from all over the world helping out,” he said, “practicing their Catholic faith. I love doing service; it’s a great feeling.”
For Thomas Awiapo originally from a small village in Ghana, orphaned at just 10-years old, watching the meals stream into boxes was inspiring.
“It gives me hope,” he said. “Hope for the world. Hope for the church. Hope for humanity. It’s just wonderful to see young people trying to live out their faith in action.”
It was hunger that lead Awiapo to a school feeding program at a nearby elementary school as a child, but he soon learned the value of education and went on to attend college and eventually earn a master’s degree from California State University. Today, he works for Catholic Relief Services training community leaders in Ghana.
“To be here and thinking about people thousands of miles away is just such a wonderful thing,” he said. “And I’m happy to be part of this.”
Stopping by to cheer on the volunteers was Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who posed for selfies and shook hands with everyone he met.
“This event is spectacular,” Nutter said having just rung the gong. “All these young people, mostly high school students (are) giving their time, giving their effort and really following what Pope Francis talks about in his ministry. Giving back to the community, helping those who don’t have what you may have it’s just a joy to be here with all these young people and some young at heart.”
