NORFOLK — Rhonda Wrenholt credits the generous hearts of northeast Nebraska for helping Mercy Meals go strong for 10 years.
“I think it just touches their hearts that they want to go out and help people who are hungry, that need the food, that don’t have it available to them,” Wrenholt said.
The non-profit packages bags of healthy food and ships it to 18 underdeveloped countries across the world. Over 600 people volunteered at Mercy Meals’ annual event at the Divots DeVent Center on Sunday. Wrenholt, who is the director of Mercy Meals, says one reason groups keep coming back is a competitive atmosphere.
“They know who likes to do what, and they get their tempo going after the first couple of bags and they can really just go to town after it,” she said.
The bags are a mixture of soy flakes, chicken flavoring, dried vegetables and white rice. Recipients boil six cups of water, pour in one bag and create a meal that feeds six people. The whole bag costs just 72 cents.
Volunteer and emcee Jim Doyle said the formula is created by food scientists.
“It’s to feed them first, then help them recover second,” Doyle said. "So, it’s not a guessing game, it’s scientifically based.”
Mercy Meals also hosts smaller events throughout the year.
Mercy Meals Continues Rolling With Tenth Big Event
