Meal Pack report and Pictures

Over 100 Rotarians and friends descended on Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College on the morning of Saturday 11^th February to take part in a meal packaging event in support of the charity Rise Against Hunger.

The charity is an international hunger-relief organisation that distributes food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people.

A production line was set up to pack rice, soy, lentils and a vitamin sachet into bags for distribution by the charity to school children around the world, but Africa in particular. If children are well-fed they have no need to scavenge for food on rubbish dumps or to sell themselves in order to eat. And with improved nutrition their education improves and they can look forward to a better future.

Fifteen Rotary clubs in the district were represented as well as Inner Wheel, Interact, Guides and other friends of Rotary.

There was a busy and excited atmosphere with the ingredients being measured, packed, sealed and boxed in a most efficient way. But there was also a lot of fun. The pace of production was kept up by the ringing of a large gong every time 1,000 meals were packaged. Eventually, in less than three hours, the target of 30,000 meals was reached.

The cost of the meals was  over £13,000 and Rotary Sandbach raised the majority of that amount before Covid struck and the event was postponed. During the last few months donations from individual Rotarians, including our club members and Rotary Clubs in Northwest region helped to achieve the final sum.

The facilities at the High School, and the co-operation of staff, were excellent and Rotary Sandbach is grateful to the Governors and Head teacher of the school for making those facilities available.

District Governor, Rtn Eric Russell, who took a full part in the event, commented on the excellent collaboration of the clubs and the happy atmosphere. He emphasised the impact that these meals would have on some of the world’s most vulnerable children.

Celebratory lunch

To celebrate the success of the Meal Pack event for Rise Against Hunger and as a fundraising event Rtn. Bal Unnithan organised a lunch at the K2H Creative Indian Kitchen in Sandbach on 19^th February.

Several Rotarians and friends attended the excellent buffet lunch. The owner, Mr. Nagendra Kumar Prasad, generously donated half of the total price, of the meals he served, to the club in support of the Meal Pack for Rise Against Hunger. Together with the proceeds from a raffle, this raised a significant amount and we are grateful to Nagendra for his support.

Rotarian John Higgins (Publicity Officer)