BY MARISSA CASTANOS
Numana, a non-profit organization started in 2008, came to Fort Hays for the sixth time to package meals to send to countries in need of food to sustain themselves. Numana’s first food-packaging event was held in El Dorado, Kansas, in December of 2009. From that day, the hunger relief organization has packaged over 37 million meals all across the country with the help of over 197,000 volunteers.
Ashley Burns is the Event Manager for Numana and seemed very excited to be back at Fort Hays.
“We’re really just jumping in at a call for action all over the world,” Burns said. “Wherever the biggest need is, is where we pour our meals into.”
Various organizations and Greek life students met at Forsyth Library Saturday morning to help package meals to send to Puerto Rico hurricane victims. The goal for the day was to make 30,000 meals that would be sent out as soon as possible. After an hour and a half of packaging meals, the students finally hit their goal and packaged 30,000 meals.
These meals consist of rice, soy protein, freeze-dried pinto beans and a blend of vitamins and minerals, which all help the immune system of malnourished individuals. The volunteers measure the ingredients and scoop them into meal bags, which are then weighed, sealed, and put into boxes.
The cost of each of these meals is only 30 cents, this includes all of the ingredients, packaging, administration, and internal shipping of the container. The meals are sent out to Numana’s partner organizations all around the globe, who distribute the meals to the places who need them the most. The meals are used to promote education, encourage school attendance, improve health, and so much more.
Although this nonprofit is doing their best to help individuals in disaster-struck or high poverty areas, they still receive criticism for the work that they do. Many people believe this organization provides a “band-aid” to these suffering countries because these meals only help them for a short amount of time.
“In reality, we’re providing sustainability while they fix the problem,” Burns said. “For example in Haiti, only 50% of what they can grow can feed their people. So that other 50%, they need fulfillment and they need sustainability. We pour into that 50% to keep them going while they’re training, while they’re doing technical school, while they’re doing farming school.”
The next Numana event in Kansas will be held in Wichita at the Plymouth Congregational Church from 1-3 pm.
“I think everybody wants to help,” said Burns. “Today, a lot of people can get discouraged because when you turn on the tv, all of these individuals who need help are so far away, and you might not know how you can help them.”
“With Numana, you can physically show up to a local location and do a hands-on service project. You know exactly where your funding is going, because you’re scooping it into a bag. You know your time is well spent and your money is well spent because you’re a part of every piece of it.”
Numana has partnered with Fort Hays for the past 5 years and is excited to return for more events.
“We’re super grateful to be a part of a school that is willing to jump in and carve two hours of their day to feed 30,000 people,” Burns said. “It’s really incredible.”
For more information about Numana and how you can help, visit their website at https://numanainc.com.
(See video below for highlights of the event.)