McHenry County Blog

The First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake is holding its second meal packing event for Haiti.

Inspired by the tremendous community outpouring headed up by the Salvation Army in 2007 when 780,000 meals were packed by hundreds of community members at the old Cub Foods building, the Methodist Church decided to skip a regular Sunday service last August and emulate that effort.

40,000 meals were packed in less time that it took for a regular church service while the contemporary praise band played stirring music.

The supplies ran out last year before the volunteers were tired.  The even started at 9:30.  You can see what time supplies were exhausted.

Held at Hannah Beardsley Middle School on East Crystal Lake Avenue last year (and this year), so many people showed up that the church decided to double the goal to 80,000 meals this year.

The limiting factor does not seem to be manpower, although volunteers are certainly needed.

It’s money.

The cost for each meal is twenty-five cents.  If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.

Twenty-four packing lines have been set up in the cafeteria of Hannah Beadsley Middle School.

If you are not doing anything Sunday morning, the First Methodist Church of Crystal Lake is hosting a meal packing morning for Haiti.

Methodist Church usher Bill Moll can be seen here at one of the Salvation Army’s packing lines at the old Cub Food store.  Virtually any aged person can help.

Two years ago the Salvation Army hosted a massive event at the old Cub Food Store in the failed shopping center behind Colonial Cafe.

Over 750,000 meals were packed.

The scoop on the Meals for Haiti Stirred to Serve event Sunday morning.

The Methodists’ goals are more modest.  I’ve heard the figure 30,000 at church.

More information about the Stirred to Serve Haiti meal preparation event.

There is room for 288 volunteers, who will start about 9 to 9:30 Sunday morning on August 19th.