One of the most important and generous “from-the-heart” events which the larger Wilton community collaborates on to make happen occurs this Saturday—and it has nothing to do with costume parades and candy.

For the third consecutive year, the Wilton Interfaith Action Committee (WI-ACT) is joining efforts for Stop Hunger Now, an effort to package 110,000 meals in one day to feed needy children around the world. According to organizers, that’s enough to feed 300 malnourished children in Africa for an entire year.

The day is organized by the ten faith institutions in Wilton that make up WI-ACT:   First Church of Christ, Scientist; Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic; the Islamic Institute; the Wilton Society of Friends (Quaker); St. Matthew’s Episcopal; Temple B’nai Chaim; Wilton Baptist; Wilton Congregational; Wilton Presbyterian; and Zion’s Hill United Methodist.

Having participated with my family, I can personally attest to what an amazing experience it is taking part in this community-wide event. Everyone over the age of 6-years-old can participate, with an age-appropriate job—running supplies between people packaging meals and those sealing and boxing up the finished packages.

Kids can easily take part in this great volunteer experience.
My family volunteering at the 2012 Stop Hunger Now effort.
Stop Hunger Now is an amazing volunteer effort for the whole community.

Steven Hudspeth, one of the organizers, said WI-ACT hopes to have 500 volunteers take part this year. Members of the faith groups can sign up through their own organizations, and unaffiliated residents can go to this link to volunteer:  Stop Hunger Now.

“What you’re doing makes a world of difference for the kids who are being served by the programs, it makes a world of difference. It’s also a very exciting and enjoyable experience, whether you’re a senior citizen or a child of six,” Hudspeth said. “There’s a huge energy to the event that’s contagious, everyone enjoys themselves, and the kids—everyone—gets a huge kick out of it.”

I have to agree wholeheartedly. For my family, it was such a phenomenal thing in which to take part. For my kids to see the community come together that way, to know that they had a role just right for them, and that they were providing help to needy people out in the world—it made a huge impact on them.

I encourage you to get involved this Saturday. You’ll never forget it!