Distribution of one million meals marks Adventist response to World Food Day in Inter-America

Volunteers prepare boxed meals during a food-distribution event last week in Inter-America. Adventist leaders there say the second annual event is catching on in other church regions, such as Euro-Asia, where members are expected to provide meals for some 10,000 people next week. [photo: Libna Stevens/ANN]

Seventh-day Adventists in Inter-America helped feed one million of the neediest people in their cities and communities on October 10.

The region-wide second annual Day of Kindness and Compassion is designed to promote awareness of hunger leading up to the United Nations World Food Day, observed worldwide today, regional church leaders said.

U.S.$2 or less donations by each church member in the region financed the event, which was organized by the Inter-American (IAD) region's Youth Ministries department in coordination with Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) offices across the region.

The event reminded participants "what it means to give and what it means to be committed," said Bernardo Rodriguez, Youth Ministries director for the church in Inter-America and joint organizer. "I think this initiative opens the way for a church united in the future through service," he added.

Rodriguez estimates that over half a million young people alone participated in this year's Day of Kindness and Compassion throughout most of the 17 church regions located in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the French Antilles, Colombia and Venezuela.

Organizers said the event seeks not only to motivate Adventists, but involve entire communities in identifying and responding to needs.