NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Regional groups of United Methodist Men have agreed to raise $10,000 for a food packaging event during the August 4-8 World Methodist Conference www.worldmethodistcouncil.org in Durban, South Africa.

The National Association of Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men agreed to raise funds for a Stop Hunger Now (www.stophungernow.org) food packaging effort to provide 100,000 meals for hungry people in southern Africa. Larry Dozier, vice president of the United Methodist Men organization, is coordinating the fund raising efforts of conference presidents.

World Methodist Conference participants will prepare 13 ounce dehydrated food packets with nutrition for six persons. Participants will also be asked to fast during one meal period during the Durban event, and contribute the cost of a meal.

The food packaging event is spearheaded by Larry Malone, president of The World Fellowship of Methodist and Uniting Church Men, an affiliate of the World Methodist Council.  Malone is contacting United Methodist leaders and congregations for funding support.

In July 2006 at the World Methodist Conference in Seoul Korea, the World Methodist Council men’s affiliate established its mission of world hunger relief, with Raleigh, N.C.-based Stop Hunger Now as its partner.

“Every 6 seconds a child dies of hunger-related causes,” said Malone. “The 43 million meals packaged to date by Stop Hunger Now slows that terrifying pace.”

The food packets

Each six meal packets contains measured quantities of rice, minced soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a fortified vitamin and mineral powder to form a soup mix. Volunteer packers pass the ingredients through a funnel into a labeled plastic bag. Cooking instructions are printed on the label. Each bag is weighed to ensure consistency. The bags are then heat-sealed, boxed and readied for shipment.

Provide support

To support the event, please go to www.stophungernow.org/durban or send a check to Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068 GPO, New York, NY 10087-9068. Make check payable to: Advance Special: Stop Hunger Now #982795 with Durban Meal Packaging in the memo line. Gifts may also be given online http://secure.gbgm-umc.org//donations/advance/donate_select_project.cfm or by phone (888/252-6174).

For additional information, contact Malone (malonelaurence@gmail.com).



Stop Hunger Now video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p58JYxaGlw&feature=youtu.be