NorthRidge church aiming to prepare 1 million meals this weekend for countries in need
Saline resident Wendy Dorset puts food packages into a box at Whitmore Lake Middle School on Friday evening. NorthRidge Church is aiming prepare 1 million meals this weekend to be shipped to children in need.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Inside the gymnasium at Whitmore Lake Middle School, one million meals are being prepared this weekend. More than 5,000 volunteers are working to benefit the organization Feed My Starving Children, and the meals they prepare will be sent to children in Haiti, Guatemala and Somalia.
The "A Million Meals" undertaking is a commitment by the NorthRidge Church, which has locations in Plymouth, Saline and Howell.
"We look for opportunity to make a difference," explained Mike Miller, NorthRidge's director of outreach. "It costs 19 cents per meal, and we're hoping to collect $190,000 in donations by the end of the weekend."
"This is about pulling our people's resources to make a difference in the world," said Brad Powell, NorthRidge Church senior pastor.
Marilyn Wagner, a member of NorthRidge's Plymouth congregation, volunteered her time Friday night because she said she wants to serve God and help children who are hungry. Joanna Krenk, a parishioner from Canton, wants to get her children involved in volunteering.
"It's a great way to serve, and it made a great impact on my kids to learn about the children in Haiti," she said.
Whitmore Lake Middle School was the ideal location because it is centrally located among NorthRidge Church's three locations. The gymnasium was set up with dozens of stations where volunteers put together meals, which are divided into four food bins at each station.
Feed My Starving Children, which is a Christian nonprofit organization based in Minnesota, produces food formulas aimed at saving the lives of malnourished children. They are packaged in small pouches that contain a formula consisting of rice, extruded soy nuggets, vitamins, minerals, vegetarian chicken flavoring and dehydrated vegetables.
"My job is to arrive when the event starts and coordinate volunteers," said Ursula Maley, mobile pack supervisor for Feed My Starving Children. "The meals will be packed in boxes and loaded on supply trucks headed to Illinois. A container will leave from there next Tuesday and be taken by rail to a port and then sent to Haiti, Guatemala, and Somalia."
In total, 12 shifts of 400 people working two-hour shifts are scheduled to volunteer between Friday and Sunday.
"This is the single biggest call to our congregation, and the vast percentage of our people are somehow invested," said Powell. "We believe Jesus wanted no one sitting in the bleachers."
For more information about A Million Meals, go to the NorthRidge website. To learn more about Feed My Starving Children, go to www.FMSC.org.
Lisa Carolin is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com at 734-623-2530.
Comments
mike from saline
Mon, Feb 14, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
"You gotta walk it like you talk it or you loose the beat!" Sounds like the "Nothridge Church" does exactly that. Nice job!
freakenjason133
Mon, Feb 14, 2011 : 5:57 a.m.
OLDTIMER3 and The Black Stallion3 are right. We should ignore the fact that these people are doing something truly great and selfless because they put other countries before our own... I mean it's not like when we're the #1 country in the world that struggles with obesity or anything. But I mean, I know that you guys aren't raining on the parade of decent hearted people that want to make a difference in the world... unless you do something about what you're complaining about... right??? I'm pumped to hear that you 2 are doing something to help starving Americans... I'd like to hear more about your organization and get involved!
OLDTIMER3
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
Dido The Black Stallion, only a small portion went to help people in the USA.
Jane Bryan
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
I am glad to say I attend Northridge. The food drives are awesome. I invite any one to try Northridge Church. You can even listen online to our Great minister, Brad Powell. The church is doing something right to be expanding to 3 locations when many churches are falling in numbers . The Good Friday services will be soon or check out the Christmas program. North ridge has a great teen age and Childrens' program. . WE can even drink coffee during service. Come as you are.There are many small groups, I was baptiszed 6 years this month. I even met my wonderful husband at Northridge in 2004. Keep up the good work Northridge.
nrsupporter
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.
I am a member of Northridge Church and I get my time to volunteer both locally and globally. Before you criticize Northridge, look in the mirror and ask yourself, what am I doing? If you are doing more than they are then ok, maybe you can criticize. If you are not then maybe you need to get involved and support an organization you believe in. If everyone spent as much time volunteering as they do criticizing those who do, this world would be a different place. I am proud to be a member of such a loving caring church.
Katherina
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 3:03 a.m.
I am a member of Northridge Church. I can truly say that it cannot post all that it does to contribute to the local outreaches and those worldwide. But why not support the fact that it is a church that does reach out and not keep all within. Northridge alone cannot help everyone, but they spread the love of God by reaching to someone with hopes that others will join to help them do the same. Whose to say that by reaching so far beyond that someone there will not reach even farther. Dont focus on just the financial donations because the prayers that are prayed for the less fortunate goes much farther than the money. The prayers extend to God who opens doors for others outside of Northridge to help while blessing Northridge for what they have done. Go Northridge!!
Amanda
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 10:13 p.m.
You can't just assume that because NorthRidge is helping children is other countries with this particular project that they aren't helping American families as well. In addition to what was already mentioned I know that they send missions trips to West Virginia and North Carolina to help families with home repairs that don't have the means to do them themselves. They also sent several teams to the areas affected by hurricane Katrina. They also have trips monthly to help out in different areas of Detroit. This project just happens to be one that grabbed media attention.
DonBee
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
WOW! just WOW!
EcoChicMomma
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
Ok, what else is Northridge doing LOCALLY? Let's expand on Ron's list... * Detroit community garden to give free fresh produce to families in need * Provide, prepare, and serve dinner at local soup kitchens monthly * Collect and distribute duffel bags full of clothes and toys to children taken into foster care several times a year * Train new foster parents and educate on foster care adoption * Install and test smoke detectors for families in need in Detroit * Adopt local families in need at Christmas each year * Collect (literally) tons of food for local food pantries I am sure that I am missing more, this is what I can think of off the top of my head. I am not trying to brag on Northridge. My point is this: there is enough poverty both locally and globally that we should not be criticizing how anyone decides to help. This was a huge undertaking and made the news. It doesn't mean that it's the only thing that they are doing.
a2grateful
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.
NorthRidge Church and volunteer teams: Amazing job! I am awed by your contribution to our brothers, sisters, and children around the world. I will work harder in hopes of better following your example.
a2grateful
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
OK, Black Stallion, we need your leadership and energy. What do you want to do? You will be surprised at how many people there are willing to follow your lead. Let's get to work. Just say the word! : )
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
Excuse me but only $50,000 went to help local Americans...........This country has got to start helping each other first and then the rest of the world. I do not want to sound mean but America needs to help Americans first.
Ron
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
We can agree to disagree on the importance of helping ALL of Gods children, regardless of where they were born. The point is that a lot of good is being done through that church, to help the needy. Nobody can deny that fact.
Ron
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
@Black Stallion: A valid point... But know that this is just one of many ways that the members of NorthRidge have been generous to the needy all over the world, including locally. In 2010, from JUST the 2009 Christmas offering, NRC donated: - $25,000 to "Samaritan's Purse" to help in the Haiti disaster relief effort - $12,000 to "World Orphans" to support 20 Haitian orphans - $10,000 to "World Orphans" to help rebuild a church in Haiti - $17,000 to development of global partnerships - $11,000 to "World Medical Mission" to support NRC members serving in Africa - $25,000 to "Sower of Seeds" to support two schools in India - $20,000 to "Sower of Seeds" to fund 5 water projects in India - $15,000 to a Columbia church partner for enhancement of their worship center - $10,000 to "Reaching Indians Ministry International" to support leadership development in India - $10,000 to "Mega City Industries", a Philippines outreach kids camp - $30,000 to "Mack Avenue Community Church" in Detroit for development of literacy - $20,000 to "Central Detroit Christian" to refurb a home for CDC interns While much of this money went to global outreach programs, $50,000 went to local programs. NRC sends mission trips all over the world. But they don't forget the USA. They regularly support local charities and soup kitchens with volunteers and money, and send members throughout the US to help our fellow country men and women in their times of need. So yes, you are very right to ask the question about what are they doing closer to home. But the answer to your question is: a lot!
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
I agree....But what about the children right here in America? Have we forgotten them?
Mick52
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 10:46 p.m.
Well we are Earthlings as well as Americans......
Caroline
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
This is absolutely wonderful what they're doing
The Black Stallion3
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
I agree....But what about the children right here in America? Have we forgotten them?