BEDFORD — In a whirlwind of service and community spirit, the Bedford North Lawrence (BNL) Interact Club successfully packed 12,528 nutrient-dense meals in less than two hours during their recent “Pack Away Hunger” event. The initiative, aimed at tackling food insecurity within Lawrence County and Southern Indiana, transformed the BNL cafeteria into a high-energy assembly line of philanthropy.
Under the leadership of club sponsor Heather Jones, Interact members recruited more than 40 volunteers from the student body and the broader community. The team focused on packing “Nutri-Plenty” meals—shelf-stable packets containing a strategic blend of rice, soy, vegetables, and a potent micronutrient mix designed to provide maximum nutrition to those in need.
A Community-Wide Effort
The logistics of the event were supported by a significant fundraising campaign. The Interact Club, in partnership with the Bedford Rotary Club, raised nearly $4,000 to cover the cost of the meal ingredients.
Funding was secured through several local initiatives, including:
- A “Share Night” hosted by the Bedford Culver’s.
- A high-traffic bake sale held during a BNL basketball game.
- Generous individual donations from community members.
Impact on Local Food Security
The 12,528 meals have already been earmarked for distribution to several vital local organizations that serve the region’s most vulnerable populations:
- Bertha’s Mission
- Community Care Center
- Men’s Warming Shelter/SPIN
- Shared Abundance Food Pantry
Leadership Through Service
The BNL Interact Club is a Rotary-sponsored organization dedicated to fostering leadership skills in students through the principle of “Service Above Self.” Open to BNL students of all grade levels, the club provides a platform for young people to address global and local issues.
For this project, the club partnered with Pack Away Hunger, an Indianapolis-based non-profit whose mission is to eliminate hunger through nutritious food provision and hunger education.
“We would like to thank everyone who donated, the Bedford Culver’s for their partnership, and the amazing volunteers who turned a big goal into a reality,” the club shared in a statement. “We also appreciate the Pack Away Hunger organization for their guidance in making this service project a success.”
