On Friday, Jan. 13,  students crowded into the lunchroom not to eat food, but rather to pack food so others can have meals.

The annual Stop Hunger Now event is one that Interact Club members always look forward to, not only because it is enjoyable to come together, but because each member’s hard work pays off.

Stop Hunger Now is a non-profit organization, based in North Carolina, whose goal is a simple yet daunting one: to end world hunger. They were founded in 1998 and deliver food to various poverty-stricken countries.

Nearly forty Interact members (and a few THS alumni) spent their Friday afternoon playing a part in the movement by putting together meals of rice, spices, and vegetables.

Each time the count would hit 1,000 meals, one of the students would hit a gong to celebrate the accomplishment.

“Everyone was really excited and motivated. The energy was kind of like being at a football game,” said junior Leah Dowdy.

“I had already done one before, so I knew how much fun it was. I thought it would be much more fun with my friends. I was so excited that our school was able to participate in it,” she added.

Thanks to all of the volunteers’ efforts, over 10,000 meals will travel from Dry Fork all the way to Honduras, where the meals will be distributed.