CIRCLE PINES, Minn. – (Sept. 19, 2013) – Two seniors at Centennial High School turned their big idea to make a global impact into reality as they produced more than 50,000 meals for starving children in the developing world.
Through a partnership with Feed My Starving Children, Tasha Erding and Sarah Peck rallied 250 students and staff to prepare the meals at an event held at Centennial High School. “Everyone always says young people can do anything these days,” Erding says of the planning process, “when there’s a will there’s a way – I’ve always heard those things, but I’ve never really had an experience with it and really believed it.”
Before Erding and Peck could begin this ambitious endeavor, the pair needed to raise the $11,000 necessary to fund the meals they planned to pack that day. The girls appealed to their respective churches for donations. Erding explains the stroke of good luck that followed, “Through a contact at Eagle Brook, we actually received an anonymous $10,000 donation.” After achieving their fundraising goals, Erding, Peck and a slew of volunteers were ready.
Over the course of the school day, they were able to pack 54,432 meals, which exceeded their goal by nearly 10 percent. Feed My Starving Children is based out of Coon Rapids and tackles world hunger by sending nutritious, pre-packed meals to nearly 50 countries each year. The meals are used to operate orphanages, schools and clinics throughout the world. Last year, the organization produced 163 million meals. Erding and Peck hope that their fellow students remember this day as more than a way to miss class for a couple hours – and hope that they continue giving back.
Related Links:
Feed My Starving Children
Volunteer
