Sources: Sandy Klein, 785-532-5121, sandy@k-state.edu; and Nellie Hill, 620-381-3344, nellieh@k-state.edu
Hometown interest for: Pilsen
News release prepared by: Megan Molitor, 785-532-3452, molitor@k-state.edu
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011
HUNGRY FOR HELP: CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY INVITED TO COME TOGETHER TO FEED THE NEEDY
MANHATTAN -- Two hours of donated time could help 70,000 people enjoy a rare meal through next month's food packaging event at Kansas State University.
Numana, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is partnering with colleges all across the state to create State-Wide Packaging Events -- or SWIPE -- at campuses for students, faculty and communities to assist in providing food to those who desperately need it.
Sandy Klein, College of Agriculture events coordinator, said the university's event will take place from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at K-State's International Grains Program building, 1980 Kimball Ave., Manhattan.
"The goal is to package 70,000 meals with the help of 280 volunteers," Klein said. "It's something tangible we can do to help other people."
The meals that are made will go to the Horn of Africa, a peninsula in the northeast part of the continent, to aid in the region's ongoing famine, Klein said.
During the event, volunteers will undergo a 30-minute training session, followed by working one of two two-hour shifts in assembly-line fashion, packing food that includes rice and beans into boxes. Nellie Hill is a K-State senior in agricultural communications and journalism from Pilsen who is helping spread the word about the event. She said agriculture honorary fraternity Alpha Zeta is helping raise the $15,000 needed to purchase the materials for the meals.
Along with other support, the group will be visiting clubs and organizations as well as working with the Manhattan community to get help from local business and churches, Hill said.
"Anyone in the community can volunteer -- not just students," she said. "We encourage people to make a monetary donation if they can't donate their time. Even a small amount can help feed someone."
Klein said Numana has been in existence since 2008, but this is the first year that the organization has sponsored Swipe Out Hunger events at college campuses across the state.
To register as a volunteer or to donate to the event, supporters can visit http://www.swipeouthunger.com/k-state. Klein said volunteers are also needed to help speak to clubs and organizations about the event. Interested individuals can email her at sandy@k-state.edu.
"We're coming together as a community and campus to do what we can to pay it forward and help others," Klein said. "Everyone is welcome, people of all ages, kids and adults."
Fundraisers scheduled so far include 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Panda Express in the K-State Student Union, and 4-10 p.m. Oct. 12 at Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, 501B 3rd Place, Manhattan.
