Carole Robek packaged bag after bag of a special macaroni and cheese mix on Feb. 4 as part of a "Meals of Hope" packaging event to end hunger.
Robek of Kings Point said it was her first time volunteering for the Sun City Center Rotary's Club annual cause that brings together hundreds of volunteers to package food that will be distributed by area food banks.
"I want to help the children," Robek said. "I don't want to see them go hungry. I've seen poverty. Many people need our help."
Robek, who came as a representative of the Kings Point Lawn Bowlers, said people in Kings Point are always willing to help for a good cause. The event filled up the Kings Point Borini Theater, although volunteers streamed in from all over the area.
Denny Hanson of Sun City Center brought the program to SCC five years ago. It used to be called "Kids Against Hunger."
In addition to a name change, they also switched out the former beans and rice mixture for a more popular macaroni and cheese.
"The kids love it," Hanson said, adding the volunteers packaged 75,000 meals for local food pantries including the Good Samaritan Mission, Bethel Mission, St. Anne's Catholic Church, Calvary Lutheran Church's "Angel's Attic," and St. John the Divine's church's "Lord's Light House."
"The Rotary Club has done such a marvelous job of recruiting volunteers," Hanson said. "We always need more food than we can provide. The need is greater this year because of the local economy."
Judy DeGraan of Kings Point said she has volunteered four years in a row.
"It feels good to know you are helping," said DeGraan, who added the soy mixture to the bags for added protein. "There is a big need."
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