“Stop Hunger Now” Assistant Program Manager Ben Gerrish prepares to unload supplies at Middletown United Methodist Church for the Middletown Lions Club “Stop Hunger Now” event on Nov. 14. Since it launched its meal-packing program in 2005, Stop Hunger Now has distributed over 200 million meals in 71 countries. PHOTOS BY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER FRANK GALIPO MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Lions Club has declared November “Alleviate Hunger Month” to raise awareness of the fact that, locally and globally, many people do not have enough to eat.
The Lions Club is hosting a series of events throughout November to benefit those in need. On Nov. 14, the club hosted its fourth annual “Stop Hunger Now” function, a meal-packaging event dedicated to preparing and distributing meals for families in need around the world.
“Stop Hunger Now is a very unique event … and I think has been a great success and has motivated people to get involved and fund through donations and put meals together,” Beverly Bova Scarano, Lions president, said.
“Stop Hunger Now” Assistant Program Manager Ben Gerrish (center) works with volunteers Russ Cline of Colts Neck (right) and Phil Welch of Lincroft (left) to prepare between 10,000 and 15,000 meals that will be distributed to families in need around the world.
Stop Hunger Now is an international organization established in 1998 dedicated to ending global hunger through the preparation and distribution of nutritious meals.
Since it launched its meal-packing program in 2005, Stop Hunger Now has distributed over 200 million meals in 71 countries.
According to Scarano, more than 80 volunteers of all ages, along with several churches including the Middletown United Methodist Church, the Middletown Reformed Church and Christ Church, Middletown, prepared approximately 20,000 meals for those in need on Nov. 14.
More than 80 volunteers, including Russ Cline of Colts Neck, helped to unpack supplies at the Middletown Lions Club “Stop Hunger Now” event Nov. 14. “I first became aware of this particular group and its unique effort back about seven or eight years ago through my church,” she said. “I actually saw how the process works and I brought it back to Middletown … and it has taken off and has made people become more aware of this global issue and that people are going hungry every day.
“There has been a wonderful response to this event … and to see people walking away saying, ‘I’ve done something,’ that is what I want people to recognize.”
According to Lori Anne Oliwa, a Lions Club member, the event has had a great response since it began four years ago.
“It is a great program,” Oliwa said. “The problem of hunger is so serious and it is great seeing people getting involved, packaging food.
“To be able to raise money and mobilize the entire community — faith communities, other Lions clubs, individuals getting involved on their own — and in just a short amount of time, it is really just excellent.”
Stop Hunger Now, held at the Middletown United Methodist Church on Middletown-Lincroft Road, was funded by individual, group or corporate sponsors who contributed funds toward the cost of the meals. The Lions Club needed to raise a minimum of $2,900 in sponsorship dollars to host the event, Oliwa said.
The drive was held “to raise awareness about the pandemic global hunger is becoming and how the need for this type of event is becoming crucial,” she said.
According to Oliwa, statistics revolving around the issue of hunger have become a concern.
“Monmouth County is such an affluent area, there are towns that are considered the most affluent in the country, and yet the deep, dark secret is that there are people on the streets in these areas going hungry,” she said. “People would be amazed if they knew their own neighbors could be having trouble.”
The Lions Club will also continue the tradition of helping to deliver holiday meals to the needy in conjunction with Middletown Helps Its Own, a community group that provides complete holiday “meals in a box” to Middletown residents in need.
The Lions will also host a free community Thanksgiving buffet at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 27 at the Community Church in Keyport.
Each month for the past seven years, the Lions have supported the Bayshore Lunch Program, headquartered at the church, by purchasing, preparing and serving a free hot lunch for people in need of food and fellowship.
“It is a wonderful initiative,” Oliwa said. “To be able to be right there to prepare meals and serve them … coming together to cook and seeing people enjoy their food and laughing no matter what their situation is currently.”
The buffet will take place at the Community Church, 125 Division St., in Keyport.