Church wants to pack 750,000 meals for kids at risk of starvation

Members of Christ Community Church want to help feed malnourished children. A lot of them.

The church's goal is to pack 750,000 meals in just six days, December 12-14 and 18-20, for distribution by the agency Feed My Starving Children. The work will be done at the St. Charles campus at Bolcum and Randall roads, and at the DeKalb campus at 1600 E. Lincoln Highway.

Larry Stratton, director of community impact for the church, is confident that church members are up to the task.

"There has been a huge response," Stratton said. "Originally, we planned to do a half million. When those slots were filled, we called back and added another 250,000.

"A lot of people want to get involved in feeding hungry people, especially around the holidays," Stratton added. "We feel that Christmas is about God giving his son to the world. When we serve and give, it helps put things in perspective."

Church members will be tackling a job in which they are experienced. In June, the church packed nearly 225,000 meals in two days, and church members sometimes visit the agency's Aurora facility when they volunteer the second Saturday of the month.

"It's a well-oiled machine. It's amazing," said Brian Beatty, spokesman for Christ Community Church. "The 18-wheeler trucks come in with the food. We pack and assemble the meals and they go back on the truck to the distribution centers. Our gym is completely full of packing tables."

In June, the meals were sent to Haiti and to Africa. The nonprofit Christian organization sends meals to children in nearly 50 countries, mostly in Africa and some in South America. Meals are also distributed in Russia and India, as well as in South Dakota, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The meals contain rice, soy nuggets, vitamins and dehydrated vegetables. A package becomes several meals when boiling water is added.

According to the Feed My Starving Children Web site, scientists have come up with the formula they believe will offer the best nutrients for malnourished children. The agency relies on volunteers to do the assembling. Each meal costs 17 cents.

"We also have the goal of donating about $130,000 to pay for the meals," Stratton said. "People at the church will be giving, and we hope those participating in packing the meals will donate also."

For information, visit the church Web site at ccclife.org.