All ages get together to combat global hunger

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Christmas season is often called the season of giving, and folks of all ages gathered Saturday morning to help the hungry during this holiday season.

A volunteer helps pack a meal for Kids Against Hunger.

More than 60 people came to the South Canyon Lutheran Church in Rapid City for the Kids Against Hunger Rapid City Christmas Holiday Pack.

Kids Against Hunger (KAH) is an organization dedicated to fighting hunger and malnutrition in the United States and around the world. Their meals are made of rice and dried beans and are developed by food experts to optimize nutritional value.

The KAH Rapid City chapter packed more than 12,000 meals Saturday morning. They have packed more than 200,000 meals this year, and more than 1.3 million since the group began in 2011.

Meals are distributed through the United States and in foreign countries where hunger and malnutrition threaten the population. The meals packed Saturday morning were expected to help hungry people in the Black Hills region.

Kids Against Hunger Rapid City packed more than 12,000 meals Saturday.

Saturday morning’s volunteers consisted of area Girl Scouts, a local youth hockey team, and families who wanted to help out.

Deanna Darr, director of Kids Against Hunger Rapid City, said that packing meals is a fun and easy way to get children interested in helping those in need.

“This is a great project for kids,” Darr said. “There aren’t a whole lot of things kids can do with their own hands that can really make a difference in someone’s life. Kids love to do this. We’ve packed with children as young as 3 and 4 years old, and they can help feed the hungry.”

For information on how you can get involved with Kids Against Hunger, visit their website at kahrapidcity.org or on Facebook.

If you are someone you know struggle with hunger, call the 211 Helpline. Kids With Hunger meals are available at Feeding South Dakota and the South Canyon Lutheran Church.