One World, One Community, One Team Aids Haiti Relief Efforts

The goal was to pack 1.5 million meals in one day, and by the end of the event, it is estimated that more than 1.75 million meals were packed and ready for shipment.

Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816 contributed team members and mentors to the “One Community” food packing event staged by Feed My Starving Children to benefit Haiti. Packing of meals began at 6 pm on Friday May 21 and finished exactly 24 hours later on Saturday.  The goal was to pack 1.5 million meals in one day, and by the end of the event, it is estimated that more than 1.75 million meals were packed and ready for shipment. Green Machine members and mentors were only a few of the thousands of volunteers that helped pack meals for this event, yet during our two-hour shift, it was estimated that we packed over 360 thousand meals! 

David and Karen

David and Karen
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The packing took place in the old Mervyn’s store at Southdale Mall. Our shift began at 8:30 pm; by 8:20 pm the side walk just outside Mervyn’s was packed with volunteers spread four to 6 people across. Our group was divided into several small groups, allowing members to be placed throughout the former department store to aid other groups. There’s plenty of time for small talk, and 1816 members, already visible in their green shirts, were more than happy to talk about FIRST and what’s ahead for Edina’s FRC Team. 

Feed My Starving Children regularly hosts “mobile pack” events. These are very fun events that bring together people throughout the community to help peoples in other countries. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors and those across town, and it’s a chance to get to know some new people as well! Team 1816 is proud to have participated in the One Community event, and plan to do so again in the near future!