Click here to view pictures of Peace students during the Million Meals Event.

Over 100 Peace College students and staff joined forces with seven other area universities and colleges last Saturday, August 23.

More than 1,500 volunteers participated in the daylong Million Meal Event which was organized and supervised by the Raleigh-based Stop Hunger Now organization.

In nine hours, the volunteers packaged more than 1 million meals, to be distributed to the destitute and hungry in El Salvador, Haiti and India.

Stop Hunger Now’s meals include rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a vitamin-fortified flavoring mix with 21 essential vitamins and minerals. Each meal costs 20 cents to make, according to Rod Brooks, CEO of Stop Hunger Now, and Stop Hunger Now’s goal to raise $200,000 was met to help cover the increasing cost of food and to support packaging more meals through the rest of the year.

“With the help of these major donors, we have achieved great momentum in reaching our fundraising goal. We are actively seeking more support,” said Chessney Barrick, director of development of Stop Hunger Now.

Peace students interested in volunteering or participating in other community service and leadership events should contact Julia Lawson, director of leadership and service, at (919) 508-2015 or jlawson@peace.edu. You may also contact Jessica Baxter at (919) 508-2469.

Churches, civic organizations, businesses or individuals interested in packaging meals or donating to the University Million Meals Event should contact Stop Hunger Now at info@stophungernow.org or call (888) 501-8440.