BC Students Rise Against Hunger

You don’t have to travel far to make an impact.

Just ask the more than 50 Bluefield College students who came together on campus October 31 to package approximately 10,000 meals for children in Haiti and Africa through an organization called Rise Against Hunger.

Rise Against Hunger works to provide meals to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Its meals are distributed to aid those affected by natural disasters, poverty, and harsh political situations. The organization partners with schools, colleges, and other groups to impact these places in need. Their goal is to mobilize enough resources to end world hunger sustainably by 2030. The Bluefield College community helped them take a small step toward that goal.

For an hour and a half, students packed containers full of rice, soy, dried vegetables, and vitamins that were sent on to feed thousands of hungry children. Each student was given a specific responsibility, such as filling, sealing, and boxing the containers. Several faculty, staff, and even prospective students joined in, as well. Those who participated were eager to help and were glad they did.

“These meals are going to go around the world,” said student Laurel Romano. “Even though you’re just in your community, you can easily impact the world in a good, positive way, and serve like the Lord tells us to. And, it’s made an impact on me, as well.”

“I loved knowing we were doing something that is going to change someone’s life,” said student Michael Gutu. “I feel like that’s my big takeaway. It was also great getting to meet and talk to people as you were doing your job. As students, we should be doing things like this more, like serving the community and being able to help out and give a hand. It will go a long way.”

There are already plans in place to have Rise Against Hunger return for round two in the spring of 2020. Matt Hamilton, BC’s director of traditional admissions, who planned and organized the event, said that the goal was to continue the event twice a year during the school’s annual “Night on the Hill.”

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who didn’t get to join in the service on October 31 are encouraged to step out as a servant leader this spring or discover how to give and get involved at riseagainsthunger.org.