Lions Club members pack 6k meals Saturday to fight hunger
Dozens of Lions Club members stood shoulder to shoulder wearing hairnets and gloves as they packed 6,000 meals for distribution to local food banks Saturday, March 16.
Inside the building of Butler County Associates for the Blind, representatives from Lions Clubs across Butler, Armstrong, Beaver, Clarion and Lawrence counties created a joyful hum as they worked measuring, packing and sealing bags of food.
Jeff Loudermilk, event coordinator, said there is no significance behind the number of meals, and this is not the first time club members of District 14-N have given up their time in pursuit of a large goal.
“Hunger is one of our global causes,” he said, mentioning the Lions Club also has its hand in a number of outreaches, including childhood cancer, diabetes treatment, and eye care.
“Every club that participates gets a share of the food to distribute to people in our communities that need it. It’s a great way for us to be able to give back to our community and say, ‘Hey, we’re here to help,’” he said.
Three different pasta-based meal packing lines were set up in long rows, as volunteers measured the food, put it into bags, and sealed them for transport in cardboard boxes.
Loudermilk said the 6,000 meals would be divided evenly among representative that attended, and they would have the choice of distributing to food banks, churches or other outreaches.
Cora Mae Cable, of the Beaver Falls club, said missions such as this one were important to the Lions.
“We’re more than just sight,” she said.
Maryann Fleeger, of the Butler club, said all of the groups in the district are placing special importance on their hunger outreaches. She said the Butler group would be distributing meals to Katie’s Kitchen in the city and the Moniteau Area food pantry.
“We help serve the hungry at Katie’s Kitchen two Thursdays a month, and the numbers just keep rising,” she said.
Though he’s only been a Lion for two weeks, Lester Whitmire said he has noticed an increased need in the Slippery Rock community through his work at Feed My Sheep food cupboard. As he stood at the head of the line packing a rice and beans meal, he said his group will be donating their ration of meals there.
“This is a good system,” he said. “This is good for the community.”
Elliott Hilton, a member of the Zelienople Lions Club, said food insecurity is a problem becoming more prominent as prices rise, and initiatives such as this can help alleviate it.
“I think in pockets in Butler County, with the way the economy is, there are those having trouble putting food on their tables,” he said.
With the Lions having their hands in so many different outreaches, he said the food packing program is one that can have immediate impact.
“It’s simply that we help those who are less fortunate. It’s a way of life for us,” he said. “Our motto is simply ‘Serve.’”
