The Peak to Peak community turned out in force on Thursday, September 15, to package more than 10,000 meals in the Rise Against Hunger event held at TEENS, Inc. in Nederland. The event was sponsored by Nederland Community Presbyterian Church (NCPC), Nederland Lions Club, Peak to Peak Rotary Club and TEENS, Inc. Each of the sponsors recruited members to participate in the event and provided financial support. The Peak to Peak community was represented by residents of all ages from Lyons to Central City.

Among the 73 participant volunteers were approximately 20 kids from elementary age to high school students. In addition to the two dozen representatives from NCPC, the Nederland Lions Club and Peak to Peak Rotary Club, St. James United Methodist Church of Central City had a team of 10 volunteers participate. Teams manned tables to fill bags with nutrient powder, rice, and dehydrated protein. Each bag was weighed to assure consistency, with each bag providing a meal for five people. The children ferried the filled bags to another table where they were sealed and labeled. Another crew then placed the sealed bags into boxes of 36 packages each.

It was definitely a team event, all working together. After each 1,000 meals were packed, children were called forward to bang a gong, adding to the celebratory mood of the event. Nederland Presbyterian Minister Zach Hancock had the honor of banging the gong when the 10,000-meal mark was reached, signaling the completion of the effort.

The boxes will be sent to those hunger around the world, according to Jim Quinney, the onsite representative of Rise Against Hunger. Rise Against Hunger is an international organization that has been supporting the global effort to end world hunger since 1998. The organization has packaged more than 17 million meals through volunteer efforts. NCPC held the event locally from 2014-2019, but was forced into a two-year recess due to COVID. Church elders were pleased to be able to resume the outreach mission this year.

The entire effort took less than two with the evening culminating in a group photo of the 73 volunteers present followed by refreshments generously donated by NCPC members.

“What a tremendous outpouring of caring for others we experienced at this event,” said NCPC Mission Elder Paula Gipp, coordinator of the event. “It is heart- warming to see so many take an evening out of their busy schedules to help others. We especially appreciate the support of our sponsors and were heartened by all of the families who volunteered. Special thanks go to Stazi Snelling, TEENS, Inc. Program Manager; Nederland Lions Club Secretary Fran Bauer; Philip Kolterman, President of the Peak To Peak Rotary Club; and Nederland Presbyterian Community Church members Mark Stringfellow and Margie Yansura.”

To help fund this year’s project, as well as next year’s planned event, NCPC is selling fresh evergreen holiday wreaths for $30 each. Orders for the 22-inch wreaths will be accepted through October 28, with delivery between November 15 - 22. To order one or more wreaths, please contact Paula Gipp at 303-328-5863 or via email at gipp.paula@gmail.com.

Following the event, private donations totaling $1,425 were received to cover the costs of the meals packaged at this year’s event. Other donations are still being accepted.

If you would like to donate to help cover the cost of the meals, please contact Paula Gipp or Rev. Zach Hancock at ncpcpastor@gmail.com.