Rotary learns about KAH project

Janna Bergstedt, marketing director at First Community Credit Union, was the guest speaker at the Jan. 22 Rotary Club meeting.

Bergstedt is the chairperson for the Kids Against Hunger, which is being sponsored locally by the Jamestown Kiwanis Club. This is the second year which Kiwanis is undertaking this project.

KAH was started by Richard Proudfit, St. Paul, Minn., to help starving children around the world. He had gone to Honduras in 1974 after a hurricane had devastated this country and saw firsthand, how impoverished these people were and the children dying from lack of food. He saw organizations trying to get food to the people but sometimes it got into the wrong hands, so he developed his own program to feed hungry children.

KAH has provided more than 1 billion meals directly to needy individuals. The distribution is through churches and schools in those communities with no assistance from governments. What makes this program so unique and successful is the meal can be prepared by those receiving it. All they need is clean water and a way to cook this meal. One package will feed six children at a cost of $1.38 per package. The ingredients in the package are rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and chicken flavoring. More than 21 essential vitamins are in this food. Last year the Jamestown Kiwanis Club packaged 220,000 meals with the help of 480 volunteers. This year the goal is 100,000 meals and the club will need 250 volunteers to assist them. The packaging will take place March 2 at the Buffalo Mall.

Quincy Backen presided over the meeting, Theresa Brecto gave the table prayer, Tim Ottmar led the group in music with Gina Dahl assisting on the piano and Austin Martin collected “Happy Dollars” for Kids Against Hunger.

Student guests were Alexis Lind and Kyra Dewald, seniors at Jamestown High School. Backen reminded members of the “Movies on Saturday” program, which starts Feb. 9. Tickets can be purchased from Rotary members or at the Bison 6 Cinema. Members were also reminded to keep Feb. 12 open for a special Valentine’s Day program.

Lyman Keim has today’s program, Gail Martin will give the invocation, song leader is Selmer Spitzer and sergeant at arms is Darrell Losing.

Tags: community, clubs