Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde blesses the 10,000 packaged meals before they were shipped to Burkina Faso in West Africa. Photo by Bob Brown
Seventy Marymount University students and staff members packaged 10,000 meals to be sent to the impoverished West African nation of Burkina Faso on Nov. 18. The event, called Helping Hands, was a collaboration between Catholic Relief Services of the Arlington Diocese and the organization Stop Hunger Now.
Nickie Sene of Catholic Relief Services shared her firsthand experiences of working in the landlocked nation that is considered the third poorest in the world.
Marymount President Matthew D. Shank addressed the volunteers and Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde blessed the food before it was shipped. Each sealed, airtight package will provide a family of six a meal that consists of dehydrated vegetables, soy, rice and vitamin supplements.