What’s “Feed the Funnel” and The Pack Shack?
At the recent Arkansas Women Bloggers University, I was perplexed to see an activity on the schedule for Saturday afternoon—“Feed the Funnel party for The Pack Shack.”
The posh Magnolia room at the Arlington Hotel was ready for action when around 75 women showed up. Once inside the room, we were given classy hairnets and plastic gloves to wear.
Workstations were organized throughout the room. In the center were tables with bins of dry ingredients and funnels to create the meals; across the aisle, tables held small scales to weigh the meal for consistency. Across from the scales were heat-sealing machines to finish the pouch. Against the wall were stacks of cardboard boxes, ready to pack. The chandeliers of the Magnolia Room added a touch of elegance to our hairnets.
Bret Raymond, a co-founder of The Pack Shack, gave instructions for feeding the funnels to make packets of Cheesy Rice and Vegetables. He explained the mission of The Pack Shack and shared facts about hunger in Arkansas. Arkansas is number 1 in the nation for food insecurity; 35 % of single-mother households are affected by it. The meals we created would be donated to Project Hope in Hot Springs, AR and Genesis House in Siloam Springs. AR. Our goal for the night was to create 10,000 meals.
At the sound of a large gong, dance party music cranked up on the PA system and the high-energy packing party began. Everyone got into a fast pace for working together and some even got into the rhythm of the music.
My job was weighing the packets at the scales, making sure they were equally filled.
Soon the empty boxes against the wall were filled, sealed, and stacked.
In about an hour, the final gong let us know we had reached our goal. We celebrated with cheers, surprised at how quickly we packed 10,386 meals.
The Feed the Funnel Party was a highlight of the conference. It was great to become aware of the non-profit organization that is doing something to address hunger and help with their mission. I was blessed to have been a part of it!
Jesus taught about caring for the needs of others.
In Luke 10: 25-37, an expert of the Law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with the story of a man who was robbed and wounded. Two people passed by before the good samaritan helped the powerless man. At the conclusion of his teaching Jesus gave this answer with another question:
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Showing mercy can be as simple as providing food for your local food bank.
Want to help The Pack Shack be neighborly?
Feed the Funnel parties are perfect for all groups and ages. Contact The Pack Shack, based in Rogers, AR, to schedule a party. The student ministries of my church, SpringCreek Fellowship, even had one during a regular meeting time.
Four things are needed:
- An indoor place
- Tables, like rectangle ones, but any shape will do.
- People. There are jobs for everyone, ages 3 and up.
- A quarter. Each meal costs just $.25. I am grateful to the Wells Fargo Advisors for their donation for our party.
The Pack Shack has teamed up with Uncle Ben’s Rice for a fun contest that anyone can enter. By sending a video entry of your family cooking a meal with Uncle Ben’s brand rice, you’ll fund 50 meals for The Pack Shack. You can help The Pack Shack provide 200,00 meals for our neighbors in need. Click here for more information. Contest ends October 10, 2015.
Are you ready to show mercy?
