OXFORD, Miss.—The University of Mississippi’s third annual Feed the Hunger Pack-A-Thon will take place this weekend, February 22-23, at the Oxford Activity Center.
UM students created the Feed the Hunger group to provide meals to malnourished children in Africa. The packed meals include, rice, dehydrated vegetables, soy protein and vitamin powder.
Elementary education major Leigh Kaiser, of St. Louis, is this year’s coordinator of Feed the Hunger, a cause that’s very close to her heart. After visiting Kenya two years ago to deliver the meals from the first Ole Miss Pack-A-Thon event, Kaiser’s outlook on life has completely changed.
“The look on the children’s faces when we stepped out of the vans holding the boxes of packed meals was priceless,” said Kaiser. “They knew exactly what it meant and they were all smiles, while clapping and cheering. For most of the children we met, the meal we provided was the only meal they would have that day and knowing that we could provide it for them meant the world. Even though those children may think that we changed their lives that day, they changed ours even more.”
Volunteers will pack meals at the Oxford Activity Center across from the Oxford Police Department on Molly Barr Road. The time slots to pack are Friday, Feb. 22nd from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 23rd from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
It’s not too late to sign up to volunteer. There is a $65 fee to participate, which will go towards supplies and shipping costs. Company sponsorships may also be available. For more information, contact Kaiser at olemissfth@gmail.com.