On the afternoon of the day of Pentecost, the Episcopal Churches of Berkshire County, along
with our friends in the local community, will join together to celebrate the Holy Spirit by
packaging 20,000 meals for those who are hungry though out our world. We will also make
summer activity bags for local kids who are served by our local food pantries and other
charitable programs. This family-friendly event will conclude with a meal for all to celebrate.

When: Sunday, June 9, 3:00 - 7:00
3:30-5:30 - packaging meals/activity bags, 5:30-6:30 dinner

Where: Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St., Pittsfield, MA 01201

What: Facilitators from Rise Against Hunger will teach, supervise, and cheer on
volunteers in filling boxes of dried food.

Who: Everyone who would like to help. The actual filling of the boxes and bags will
take about 2-2.5 hrs.

Attached are two files for use in informing your congregation. Please pass this information
along to anyone who you feel would be interested. There is no charge to participate and
everyone is invited to share in a simple meal at the conclusion of the event.

In addition to spreading the word, we are asking each parish to contribute the following for this
event:

1. Two able-bodied, strong individuals to help set up from 2:00-3:00. (Ability to lift 50 lbs.)

2. Donate $300 to the event from your church. Make the check out to St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church, PO Box 704, Stockbridge, MA 01262

3. A supply of items to go into the summer fun bags for kids. We will supply you with a
specific item, for example 200 small boxes of crayons.

As a follow-up a member of the committee will contact you in the next week. Here are more
details and if you have questions still you may contact the Rev. Sam Smith at 413-298-4913:

Rise Against Hunger
from their website: Our organization’s approach to ending hunger centers on mobilizing a
global network of hunger champions. Rise Against Hunger meal packaging volunteers produce
millions of nutritious meals annually that are then distributed to partners in countries around the
world. Those partners are best able to address the causes and effects of hunger based on their
local presence and expertise. Through our thorough monitoring and evaluation process, we
ensure the meals distributed by those partners are used as a tool to change lives by promoting
education, improving students’ health and nutrition, addressing gender inequalities, stimulating
economic growth and fighting child labor.

Our assembly process combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix including
23 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packages. These meal packages are
shipped around the world to support school feeding programs and crisis relief. The food stores
easily, transports quickly and has a shelf-life of two years.

Revival Year 2
Following the first year of Revival, which culminated in the event with Presiding Bishop Michael
Curry, we have continued to keep the energy going by developing programs and projects.
things are happening across the Diocese. A grant from the Diocese was obtained for funding
this project in large part. We still need the financial contribution of the churches who are able to
donate. More importantly we ask you to invite your neighbors and friends to make this a
successful event. And we ask you to continue to pray:
​
God of the living,
Your faithful love has made us a people of hope. This hope is your gift to be shared. We wonder how to
share Jesus’ mission of mercy, compassion and hope in this time, in this place. We hear voices that cry out for your justice. We see children who long for bread. We are waiting for your Word to spark our
imagination. We are trusting that you will lead us to a deeper praise that touches hearts and lifts up those who are bowed down. We know that if we wonder, listen and wait, you will revive your people. We thank you for guiding our way and for what we, as yet, cannot see. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.