With Blaine swimmers packing meals on one side of the room and Centennial on the other it was an event that had all the enthusiasm and noise of a swim meet.
“I’m excited for the rivalry between Centennial and Blaine and to bring good to the community,” said Centennial Co-Captain Laura Debell.
When they’re swimming speed is everything, the same goes for packing food for needy children in Mozambique.
“Our girls love doing things that are charitable and giving back, and they also love competing,” said Blaine Swim Coach Kristin Luetke. “So we like finding different ways to accomplish both goals.”
It’s a team building competition that can make a difference in peoples’ lives.
“I think anytime these girls can do something that’s for the greater good, I think that’s a really good thing,” said Centennial Swim Coach Peter Crawford.
The team members gave up some of their MEA break to pack rice, vegetables and vitamins in thousands of meals. It also comes with a message about helping people who are not as fortunate.
“We really want it to be eye-opening. We want them to know they’re making a difference in a practical way,” said Feed My Starving Children site manager Tyler Adams. “Just getting them to pause and understand how good we really have it here compared to kids all over the world.”
It’s a message not lost in the packing frenzy.
“It takes a little time out of your day to change somebody’s life, so why not,” said Centennial Co-Captain Rylie McCulloch.
Together the teams packed more than 22,000 meals. For the record, coaches say the kids getting the meals are the winners in this challenge.
