Citizens of Delphos came together with one goal in mind: to put together meal packages for the organization Rise Against Hunger. Â It was a collaborative effort between the two school districts in Delphos as well as several local groups. Â The idea to bring something like this to Delphos came to Ellen and Buzz Ditto after doing one themselves.
"We were on the east coast on a mission in Boston, we had experienced a Stop Hunger Now meal packing event and we just were inspired to bring this type of experience back to our community, and that's what we did," said Ellen Ditto.
The Dittos, who are missionaries with the Carpenter's Ministry, say that the number of people that came together was something special.
"We were expecting to start with maybe a 10,000 meal packing event for about 35 to 50 volunteers, and the people have just responded and stepped forward to be able to allow us to do what we're doing today," Ditto said.
The meals themselves are put together and weighed carefully, almost like a well-oiled machine between the groups putting them together.
"The meal is a nutrient-enriched meal; it's a vegetarian meal, so it's able to go to anyone, anywhere, at any time, whether they have a dietary and/or religious restriction," said Tracey Edwards, who is the Community Engagement Manager for Rise Against Hunger Indianapolis. "It has soy plant-based protein, it has rice, seven different types of dehydrated vegetables and then it has a vitamin sachet that is packed with all the necessary micronutrients."
Part of the 17,000 meals made at the event will be shipped overseas and others will stay domestically for disaster relief. Â Another meal packing event is already scheduled for next year on February 11th.
