Meals for hungry around the world find fans here in suburbs
A group that delivers high-nutrient meals of rice and soy to Third World countries has found new fans for the food packets -- low-income elderly in DuPage and Kane counties.
The meals, distributed by Kids Against Hunger, contain all the carbohydrates, amino acids and vitamins for complete nutrition in a kind of chicken-flavored casserole. Formulated by food scientists to be acceptable to every ethnic taste and religion around the world, each 13.8-ounce package feeds six children, requiring only six cups of water and just 20 minutes of cooking time.
It turned out to be a good recipe for some of the 8,000 senior citizens in DuPage and Kane counties classified as "needy" and living with incomes as low as a $725-a-month Social Security payment.
"They like it, they really do," said Karole Kettering, executive director of the Humanitarian Service Project in Carol Stream, which provides food for more than 115 impoverished older people each month. "We have many folks who have a long list of health problems, so the fact that it's easy to prepare and comes with all the nutrients they need is a real plus."
The Rev. Darrel Malcom, 76, pastor emeritus of Poplar Creek Church in Bartlett, along with his wife Karen, brought Kids Against Hunger to DuPage County five months ago.
With more than 30 satellite groups in the United States, the group has fed more than 30 million meals to children in 39 countries since it was launched in 1999.
"There is a desperate need in our world," Karen Malcom said. "Think of this…40,000 people die because of starvation in our world every 24 hours. That's shocking. And we can help. This is a practical way to end hunger."
Partially funded by members from the Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce and Rotary, Kids Against Hunger operates out of a building donated by The Harris Bank-Roselle, where more than 100 volunteers have worked to package and distribute the food.
The Malcoms also knew there was need in their own back yard. So Rev. Malcom dropped off a few boxes of Kids Against Hunger food packets to the Humanitarian Service Project.
After folks found out how good it tasted, he was asked to bring more -- 32 boxes with 36 packets in a box, or 6,900 meals in all.
Kids Against Hunger in Fox Valley is committed to donating 10 percent of its provisions to local groups like the Humanitarian Service Project.
But their goal is even more far-reaching. This year, they want to deliver 20 pallets -- about 285,000 meals -- to Nicaragua. Meals cost just 25 cents for ingredients, packaging and shipping, but it adds up quickly. Church, civic and social volunteer groups are asked to contribute from $1,000 to $1,800 to the project when they come to assemble provisions. So far, families, youth, church and civic groups have packaged 11 pallets. There are nine pallets to go. The organization hopes groups will join in this world hunger challenge on Nov. 23 and 24.
"Anybody from 9 to 90 can find joy in doing this packaging," said Darrel Malcom. "People want a way to give back to the community and the world. This is a very practical way to do that."
And as for the older folks at Humanitarian Service Project in Carol Stream?
"We'll take as many packets as they give us," said Kettering. "No one should go hungry -- not in our area, not in the world. No matter how young or old, no one should go hungry."