After crying with hunger and frustration, Enri Ramirez, 4, of Central America, is soothed eating some of the family's meager stock of donated dry milk powder. Volunteers at an event Sunday packed 6,000 meals for those facing hunger in Western Pennsylvania and 54,000 for people in developing nations in Central and South America. Associated Press File Photo

Rebecca Blackwell

It was a lofty goal, but one for a good cause.

On Sunday, volunteers from St. Clare Parish and St. Francis Parish gathered at St. Wendelin Church with the aim of packing 60,000 meals to help those facing hunger both here at home and abroad.

All told, the event drew more than 150 volunteers to pack 6,000 meals for those around the region and 54,000 for people in developing nations in Central and South America in partnership with Cross Catholic Outreach, a Florida-based nonprofit specializing in helping those in need with food and shelter. Volunteers grouped up and handled the massive undertaking assembly-line style.

That much food also takes some serious cash to provide — about $23,000 — but thanks to parishioners at St. Clare and the sponsorship of some area businesses, the group managed to raise it.

The effort underlines the big things that can be accomplished when the community comes together to offer personal generosity and volunteer time to help those in need.

Its especially notable that most of the effort went to help individuals will likely never meet or even learn the name of. That type of unselfishness should be applauded. They can make all the difference, not just at home, but around the world.

— JP