Area churches to pack 10,000 meals for Haiti!

Haitian children eating a rice and beans meal, like those that will be packaged next weekend. Photo courtesy of I92 Ministries.

On Saturday April 23, five Manchester area churches will pack rice and bean meals and send them to the people of Haiti. In collaboration with I92 Ministries of Clinton, Sharon United Methodist Church, Manchester United Methodist Church, Emanuel United Church of Christ, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and Zion Lutheran Church will work alongside this ministry to provide safe and nutritious food to people in need. They plan to package 10,000 meals (10 meals are in one package, so 1,000 packages) between 3 and 7 pm on Saturday.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s unemployment rate is higher than 85%. Two out of three Haitians live on less than $2 a day. Even if Haiti had a prosperous economy, it does not produce enough food to feed the people – over 50% of its food is imported and 80% of the imported food is rice.

In order to send the meals, the churches are asking for the help of community members through financial donations. The total cost of shipping the meals is $2,500. Donations may be made through Sharon United Methodist Church (make checks out to Sharon UMC) with the memo line “Haiti Meals.” All donations are tax-deductible. The mailing address for Sharon UMC is Box 543, 19980 Pleasant Lake Rd., Manchester 48158.

If you have questions, please contact the church office (734)428-0996. I92 Ministries can be contacted through their website www.i92.org

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.