Rotarians in Virginia participate in a Rise Against Hunger food packing event. Members of the Moundsville, Wheeling and New Martinsville Rotary Clubs are slated to hold a food packing event in conjunction with Rise Against Hunger from 9 a.m. to noon March 18 at St. Jude Church, 710 Jefferson Ave., Glen Dale. (Photo provided)

Local Rotarians are teaming up to help feed people in need around the world and they are asking the community to lend a hand.

Members of the Moundsville, Wheeling and New Martinsville Rotary Clubs are slated to hold a food packing event, in conjunction with Rise Against Hunger, from 9 a.m. to noon March 18 at St. Jude’s Church, 710 Jefferson Ave., Glen Dale.

The club members will be filling up bags of food that will be used to help people who are victims of disasters such as floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.

People can register to help by visiting the Moundsville Rotary Club Facebook page.

“Given the joint clubs’ past success with RAH, together they are working to double their output this year, by packing 40,000 meals during this one-day event,” said Brianna Hickman, chairwoman of the Rise Against Hunger Committee and member of Impact Rotary Club of Moundsville. “Financial contributions and volunteers are essential to meet the growing needs of our society. … Our Moundsville, New Martinsville, and Wheeling Rotary Clubs are hoping to raise $11,000 to cover the cost of 40,000 meals that will be sent to areas facing the highest levels of food insecurity.”

Hickman said individuals are welcome to help, but noted it is also a good team-building opportunity for companies and groups.

“Businesses and social groups looking for an activity that people at all levels can participate in will enjoy this event,” she said.

She noted the Rotary Clubs do fundraisers to cover the cost of the meals purchased from RAH.

“Rise Against Hunger is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies,” she said.

“Targeting remote, last-mile communities within hunger pockets designated serious or higher by the Global Hunger Index, Rise Against Hunger works with local leaders to harness the strengths of their communities and tackle their own food and nutrition security challenges with agency, dignity, and resilience.

“Currently, Rise Against Hunger is sending meals to countries like Ukraine, the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Africa.”

Hickman said the clubs do not choose where the food goes.

“We unfortunately don’t get to make those decisions; the Rise Against Hunger organization determines the areas in most need and sends them out,” she said.

“Demand for food has definitely increased both locally and globally, particularly over the course of the pandemic when we saw millions unable to work and children unable to get daily meals at school. It’s really brought awareness to just how important having a nutritional meal is.”

The Rotary Clubs of New Martinsville, Moundsville and Wheeling would like to thank this events GOLD SPONSORS, Wesbanco, Southwestern Energy, and Fort Henry Capital; SILVER SPONSORS, Hartley Law Group-Dean Hartley and Edward Jones-Dan Young; Michael Hires and Jay Frey.; and BRONZE SPONSORS, Rabbi Joshua Lief, Ruiz Insurance, Steptoe & Johnson, Sleep Inn & Suites, Blalock Mediation Services, LLC, and Unified Bank. The Clubs also want to thank St.Jude’s Church for providing the facility for the event, Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration for providing bottled water for event volunteers and CertainTeed Gypsum WV, Inc. for providing volunteers with breakfast before and during the event. There is still time to sign up as a volunteer or donate to the event-just go to the Moundsville Rotary Club Facebook page at: https://rah.secure.force.com/events/homepage.