Rise Against Hunger brings students together to package 34,000 meals

By Junie Burke ’20

The Elon community came together on Saturday, Sept. 9, to package thousands of meals in support of Rise Against Hunger, an organization dedicated to ending hunger by packaging and sending meals all over the world.

Hosted by Campus Kitchen, the event in McKinnon Hall saw more than 240 Elon students package 34,000 meals. Those meals add to the more than 342 million meals Rise Against Hunger has packaged since its founding in 1998. 

Darron Stover ’93 is the Raleigh community engagement manager for Rise Against Hunger. Stover began the event by offering insight into the impact of hunger on the world, noting that 200 million fewer people are suffering from hunger since he has began working with the relief organization years ago. Rise Against Hunger focuses on a defining goal of ending hunger by 2030.

An eccentric and energetic personality, Stover was a source of energy in the room, finding a student to ring a gong after every 1,000 meals were packaged. That, combined with the blasting music, made the enthusiasm nearly tangible.

“Every time the gong rang, I couldn’t help but smile,” said Amanda Bingaman, an Elon sophomore who participated in packaging.

​Morgan Collins, another sophomore who participated in the event, agreed with Bingaman, saying “The energy in McKinnon was palpable on Saturday morning. The sing-a-long style music kept all of the volunteers going long enough to package 34,000 meals for students in Haiti. I think that’s pretty awesome.”

As far as taking the time to volunteer, Bingaman said she was happy with the experience.

“Students should just go for it,” she said. “I just signed up and I made friends there. If you’re unsure, just sign up. I would do it again — 100 percent.”

Rise Against Hunger, a unique organization and event, has become a tradition on campus. Those who missed out on this year’s event can be assured that they will have the opportunity to volunteer next year.

For more information on how to get involved with future events, visit the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement located in Moseley 230.