On Friday 24th September 2010 Feed the Hungry, in conjunction with Sydney's premiere Christian radio station Hope 103.2FM, held its first Take Away Hunger Day at the Church St Mall in Parramatta. Our mission was to ask people the question "What can you get with $6?"
A core group of dedicated people began the day in the early hours of the morning setting up tents and equipment, yet the task was not difficult with a beautiful spring day. We were soon joined by volunteers from the Salvation Army Church Auburn and C3 Silverwater Church. Almost 100 volunteers donned bright red shirts and twirled large golf umbrellas - both items printed with the message "$6 provides 100 meals!" With enthusiasm, these volunteers began asking passersby's
"Would you like to help feed 100 children for just $6?"
Many of the volunteers from the Salvation Army church were refugees at one stage themselves from Burundi and Sierra Leone. They were delighted to come down on Friday and help their family back home. Several of these volunteers were also interviewed by the radio station and shared their personal stories.
Our Feed the Hungry Director from Germany, Jean-Pierre Rummens, was also present on the day and shared many stories of his adventures with FTH. Jean-Pierre shared a particularly moving story of little Joe. An orphaned baby, left for dead, little Joe was discovered by the team near the border of Ethiopia.
At three months old, he was very sick and malnourished; his skin, so dry it was like sandpaper. Everyone had given up on him, including his guardian and his doctor, but the team believed for a miracle and travelled several hours to the Ugandan border to buy medicine and baby milk formula. Within a week the baby was out of danger and was expected to live.
"The most amazing thing was that, all that effort - a trip to buy milk and medicine, travelling to the hospital, buying food for the guardian cost only $20! The baby almost didn't make it for just $20!I've never forgotten that story - and the lesson that so little can make such a big difference." remembers Jean-Pierre Rummens.
The atmosphere was charged with a festive air, thanks to performances by a group of Sierra Leone dancers, and songs by people from Burundi. Hope 103.2FM broadcasted their breakfast show, Mornings with Aaron & Dan, live from the Church St Mall amphitheatre from 6am through to 9pm. Aaron & Dan then hosted several Australian musical artists who were supporting the day: Zoe Elliot, Charlotte Jane, Planet of the Stereos and Mick Sykes who all entertained us with live musical performances.
Executive chef Simon Lawson, from Agape Organic Restaurant Bar in Sydney's Botany area, performed several cooking demonstrations during the day. Simon and his family own and run Australia's largest accredited organic restaurant, proudly supporting Australian farmers using the best bio-dynamic, certified organic, sustainable and natural produce. Something that is very close to Simon's heart is social justice, to make a difference in the lives of others.
"Throughout the world there is need... needs in our cities, nations and of course globally. We stand for a better world for our children and future generations." says Simon.
Simon has partnered with FTH with a personal goal to send One million meals to take away hunger! For every $6 donated on the Take Away Hunger Day, Simon graciously and generously matched that donation with a $20 voucher to enjoy a meal at his restaurant!
We still have a limited number of these vouchers available for purchase. Contact our office to order your vouchers today and help Simon achieve his goal of sending one million meals to take away hunger for children today!
Our very first Take Away Hunger Day was a great success thanks to efforts of all our volunteers who were bright, friendly and passionate for the cause. A five minute video report was produced thanks to the efforts of Flash Films, a Sydney multi-media production company, who donated their time and abilities. This report and audio recordings of all radio interviews by Hope 103.2FM are available on DVD. Request your copy today.
A personal highlight of the day was meeting a homeless man named Glenn (pictured in the beanie) who gave $6 to help those less fortunate than him. Glen returned some time later to encourage us with a scripture from Psalms 41:1-3 - "How blessed is he who considers the helpless..."
It was wonderful to meet many new people who responded so enthusiastically and generously to our simple question "What can you get for $6?" It should have been no big surprise, who could resist the smiling and friendly faces of all our volunteers?
At the end of the day, when all the equipment was safely returned to their proper places, we began to tally the efforts of the day. Through the generosity of people like Glen, we were able to raise enough money to send 120,102 meals.
I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who gave up their busy time to help us on the day. On behalf of the hungry children around the world who will receive a hot meal because of your generosity, I extend my heartfelt appreciation and thankfulness.
You made the day a magnificent success!
A core group of dedicated people began the day in the early hours of the morning setting up tents and equipment, yet the task was not difficult with a beautiful spring day. We were soon joined by volunteers from the Salvation Army Church Auburn and C3 Silverwater Church. Almost 100 volunteers donned bright red shirts and twirled large golf umbrellas - both items printed with the message "$6 provides 100 meals!" With enthusiasm, these volunteers began asking passersby's
"Would you like to help feed 100 children for just $6?"
Many of the volunteers from the Salvation Army church were refugees at one stage themselves from Burundi and Sierra Leone. They were delighted to come down on Friday and help their family back home. Several of these volunteers were also interviewed by the radio station and shared their personal stories.
Our Feed the Hungry Director from Germany, Jean-Pierre Rummens, was also present on the day and shared many stories of his adventures with FTH. Jean-Pierre shared a particularly moving story of little Joe. An orphaned baby, left for dead, little Joe was discovered by the team near the border of Ethiopia.
At three months old, he was very sick and malnourished; his skin, so dry it was like sandpaper. Everyone had given up on him, including his guardian and his doctor, but the team believed for a miracle and travelled several hours to the Ugandan border to buy medicine and baby milk formula. Within a week the baby was out of danger and was expected to live.
"The most amazing thing was that, all that effort - a trip to buy milk and medicine, travelling to the hospital, buying food for the guardian cost only $20! The baby almost didn't make it for just $20!
Executive chef Simon Lawson, from Agape Organic Restaurant Bar in Sydney's Botany area, performed several cooking demonstrations during the day. Simon and his family own and run Australia's largest accredited organic restaurant, proudly supporting Australian farmers using the best bio-dynamic, certified organic, sustainable and natural produce. Something that is very close to Simon's heart is social justice, to make a difference in the lives of others.
"Throughout the world there is need... needs in our cities, nations and of course globally. We stand for a better world for our children and future generations." says Simon.
Simon has partnered with FTH with a personal goal to send One million meals to take away hunger! For every $6 donated on the Take Away Hunger Day, Simon graciously and generously matched that donation with a $20 voucher to enjoy a meal at his restaurant!
Our very first Take Away Hunger Day was a great success thanks to efforts of all our volunteers who were bright, friendly and passionate for the cause. A five minute video report was produced thanks to the efforts of Flash Films, a Sydney multi-media production company, who donated their time and abilities. This report and audio recordings of all radio interviews by Hope 103.2FM are available on DVD. Request your copy today.
A personal highlight of the day was meeting a homeless man named Glenn (pictured in the beanie) who gave $6 to help those less fortunate than him. Glen returned some time later to encourage us with a scripture from Psalms 41:1-3 - "How blessed is he who considers the helpless..."
It was wonderful to meet many new people who responded so enthusiastically and generously to our simple question "What can you get for $6?" It should have been no big surprise, who could resist the smiling and friendly faces of all our volunteers?
At the end of the day, when all the equipment was safely returned to their proper places, we began to tally the efforts of the day. Through the generosity of people like Glen, we were able to raise enough money to send 120,102 meals.
I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who gave up their busy time to help us on the day. On behalf of the hungry children around the world who will receive a hot meal because of your generosity, I extend my heartfelt appreciation and thankfulness.
You made the day a magnificent success!
Don't forget to visit our news page for all the latest updates from our projects in China, Kenya, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan and Uganda and additional photos and videos from our Take Away Hunger Day 2010.
YOU CAN HELP!
Please prayerfully consider supporting our work. Donate $6 to Feed The Hungry to Take Away Hunger and Receive a $20 GIFT VOUCHER from Agape Restaurant. Terms and conditions apply. Contact the office for details.
You may click here to send your donation. Please help us by correctly allocating or describing which project or outreach you are donating too. General donations are used for feeding the hungry - where ever it's needed most.
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