Nearly 150 Springfield High School students turned their compassion into action this week, dedicating part of the school day to fighting global hunger by packing meals for children in the South African country of Lesotho (luh-su-too).
Partnering with the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative (LNI), students set out to meet their annual goal of packing 30,000 meals, but far exceeded expectations. In just a few hours, they packed more than 43,000 meals, marking a new record-breaking effort for Springfield High School and the largest meal packing total ever achieved outside of Wittenberg University, where the initiative began.
Founded by Wittenberg students and faculty, LNI combats severe childhood malnutrition in Lesotho by providing nutrient-rich meals that not only stop the effects of hunger, but also help reverse long-term health issues caused by chronic malnutrition.
“Service opportunities like the LNI Meal Pack demonstrate to our students that they have the ability to make a real impact. They can use their time and talents to make life better for others, not just here in Springfield, but around the world," said Dr. Bob Hill, SCSD Superintendent/CEO.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that SHS students have joined forces with LNI.