Volunteers needed to help pack 85,000 meals to feed the hungry on Oct. 7

House of Mercy in Manassas near Gainesville is looking for volunteers to take a two-hour shift to pack meals to feed the poor during its annual meal-packing event on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at House of Mercy Business Complex , 8170 Flannery Court, Manassas VA 20109.  This is off Wellington Road near Merrifield Garden Center.

The goal is at least 85,000 meals.

Ann Cimini, Executive Director of House of Mercy. said the Campaign to End Hunger is the major fund raising activity each year for the nonprofit. The fee to participate in each two- hour work shift is $20. There are four shifts available; 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.  “Only 216 packing positions are available. Usually the 10 o’clock and noon shifts fill quickly,” Cimini said.
 
The fee covers the cost of food ingredients for the meals, supplies and shipping, as well as contributing to House of Mercy support and education programs, Cimini said.
Cimini was quoted as saying that “85 cents of each dollar House of Mercy receives goes back into our programs to support and serve the poor.”

House of Mercy free programs to the community, include food pantry, free and discounted clothing, thrift storevew shoe program for kids, access to English as a Second Language (ESL), GED Math, and Beginning Math, spiritual formation flasses and Christmas assistance.

To register for the meal-packing event, visit the House of Mercy web site at http://www.HouseOf MercyVA.org, select “Our Causes,” then Campaign to End Hunger. The “click here” words will automatically navigate to the event page at “SignUp Genius.”

Or register by visiting the House of Mercy in person, or mailing your request and check or credit card payment to the House of Mercy.

This is the seventh year for the meal-packing program.

For more information about the House of Mercy, its Programs, or Campaign to End Hunger, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 703-659-1636.