Want to help make 100,000 meals? BonaResponds would love your help in doing just that this Saturday March 22.. The Bonaventure based volunteer organization that is most known for local jobs and disaster response trips is teaming up with Feed My Starving Children to make 100,000 meals but they need a total of 300 volunteers to pack and ship these meals.
This is the second time that the group has undertaken a food packing like this. The first was after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. “The 2010 event was great. It was fun, successful, and we made over 113,000 meals,” said Jim Mahar the founder and leader of BonaResponds. “It is really a great opportunity to help others without ever having to leave Western New York” added Olean’s Reed McElfresh a BonaResponds volunteer and graduate business student at St. Bonaventure.
“Planning for this food packing event started back in the fall after the Typhoon hit the Philippines. We had hoped to make 200,000 meals but even at only 22 cents a meal, the cost adds up and we were unable to raise enough money do we had to settle on 100,000 meals. We have not quite made it to the $22,000 cost but we are confident we will” said Greg Faughnan a senior chemistry major and BonaResponds student leader.
Senior Chemistry major Nick Turgeon explained that BonaResponds does not know exactly where the meals go, but that they trust the Feed My Starving Children people. “They feed millions of people a week around the world. They are a great group and excellent to work with.”
“Personally I hope the meals go to Haiti” said Lilly Whelan a senior math major. “I was one of several volunteers who worked in Haiti over Christmas break and I fell in love with the people. They have so little but were always willing to help us. Whether the exact meals that we make go there or not, I am glad we can be helping people in need.”
The work day is broken into three two-hour shifts (9-11, 11:30 to 1:30, and 2-4) and is open to all who would like to help. “Young or old, everyone can help some and we’d love to have you work with us” Mahar finished.
Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are asked to sign up at BonaResponds.org. Volunteers should arrive 30 minutes early to sign in and to get “trained”.
The group is also still accepting donations to cover the cost of the meals as well as many of their local projects. Donations can also be made via BonaResponds.org or mailed to BonaResponds. Box BY, St. Bonaventure NY 14778.
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