Libertyville church to fight global hunger

The leaders of a Libertyville church are seeking volunteers to help pack meals for starving children around the world.

But be warned: This is no small-time community service project. Organizers with Holy Cross Lutheran Church are hoping to draw more than 5,000 workers to help prepare and box up 1 million specially designed meals over three days.

"We're reaching out to other faith communities, as well as civic organizations," said the Rev. Robert A. Davis, the church's pastor. "And I know a number of schools are responding as well."

The work will occur Dec. 4-6 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.

The church is partnering with a Minnesota-based group called Feed My Starving Children for the effort. The group will distribute the means to orphanages, clinics, relief centers and schools in more than 60 countries.

In 2008, the organization sent more than 73 million meals around with world with help from more than 310,000 volunteers, officials said.

"The numbers are so big when you think about the number of people who are hungry in the world, but this (activity) gives us an opportunity to break it down," Davis said.

For the Grayslake event, volunteers are needed for two-hour packing sessions, each of which will begin with a 20-minute orientation.

The first session will begin at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 4. The last session is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 6.

Some of the shifts already are filling up, Davis said.

Families, individuals and groups can volunteer, Davis said. Adults and children who are at least in the third grade can participate.

Significant time spent standing will be required for many jobs, and closed-toe shoes will be required for warehouse jobs.

For more information or to volunteer, visit onemillionmeals.info or call the church at (847) 367-4060.