2,000 Rotary members from around the globe work to eradicate world hunger
Atlanta, GA (June 7, 2017) –As nearly 40,000 Rotary members convene in Atlanta on June 10, 2017, for the Rotary International Convention, they will put their “Service Above Self” motto into practice by packaging 150,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now).
The International Convention will be held June 10-14 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. About 2,000 Rotary members are expected to package meals to help eradicate world hunger in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development goal of zero hunger by 2030.
Rise Against Hunger meal packaging events are a volunteer-based program that coordinate the streamlined packaging of highly nutritious, dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Once packaged, the meals will be shipped from the Rise Against Hunger Atlanta location and are scheduled to be sent to Honduras to be distributed to school feeding centers through partner Salesian Missions.
Rotary members across the globe are committed to ending hunger. Rise Against Hunger’s meal packaging program is closely aligned with Rotary’s six areas of focus, including fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, saving mothers and children, and growing local economies. Since 2005, Rotary members and student Interact/Rotaract clubs have packaged over 30 million meals that have been distributed across the globe.
Dr. Anne Matthews, board member of Rise Against Hunger who has held numerous leadership positions with Rotary International and will be attending the conference in Atlanta, stated, “If we share resources and provide education on the production and sustainability of food to developing countries, hunger can be wiped off the face of the earth by 2030. Rise Against Hunger’s mission to end world hunger is a pivotal message in leading this initiative.”
Atlanta-Area Organizations Fighting Hunger
The Rise Against Hunger Atlanta location opened in 2010, and has packaged more than 24 million meals at over 1,000 events. Area corporations that have packaged Rise Against Hunger meals include Google, Turner Broadcasting System, FedEx, Royal Cup and UPS. Participating area colleges and universities include Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Agnes Scott, Young Harris and Kennesaw State. Over 40 events with Interact/Rotaract clubs, Rotary groups, Girl and Boy Scouts and fraternities and sororities have resulted in more than 400,000 meals packaged in the area.
Around the world, nearly 792.5 million people do not have enough food to lead a healthy, active life.  Rise Against Hunger operates meal packaging locations in 20 cities throughout the U.S. and five international locations in South Africa, Malaysia, the Philippines, Italy and India. Last year, more than 376,000 volunteers from corporations, churches, schools and civic organizations, including Rotary Clubs, packaged Rise Against Hunger meals impacting more than 1 million lives.
The meal packaging event will be held in the Exhibit Hall at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW. Times are as follows: Saturday, June 10: 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.; Sunday, June 11:  12:30-3:30 p.m.; Monday, June 12: 1-3 and 4-6 p.m.; Tuesday, June 13: 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
About Rise Against Hunger:
Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now), an international hunger relief organization based in Raleigh, N.C., works to implement immediate and long-term solutions to hunger worldwide. With program locations in 20 U.S. cities and five international offices, Rise Against Hunger has engaged volunteers to package more than 325 million nutrient rich meals for distribution to 74 countries around the globe. To find out more about Rise Against Hunger’s efforts to end hunger worldwide, please visit www.riseagainsthungerindia.org.
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.