North Mexico: Adventist university students distribute over 1,000 dinners during Day of Kindness and Compassion
October 22, 2008 Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico…[Benjamin Garcia/IAD Staff]
Students from the Adventist-owned Montemorelos University participated in preparing and distributing over 1,000 special boxed dinners and relief supplies to the needy communities in Montemorelos, Mexico, during a division-wide event on Oct. 11. The effort was part of the Inter-American Division's (IAD) Day of Kindness and Compassion, which resulted in nearly one million people receiving a meal throughout the territory.
One of the needy locations was in Ladrillera, where mostly women and children received a meal. They were also treated to a special musical and drama program and were given magazines on healthful living.
Church, university and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) leaders met for the special program to continue in promoting acts of kindness during the special day.
Rafael Garcia, ADRA director for Mexico, told those gathered that the church-run activity went along with the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization World Hunger Day which promotes awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger.
Garcia announced that plans are in place for next year's activity to include a week-long food supplies for needy families to be distributed in the Almazan Park in Montemorelos.
Most of the dinners were donated and prepared by over 150 students involved in community service and the Dorscas Society of the university church, said Pastor Gilberto Delgado, professor of a Community Service class.
More than 72,000 dinners were distributed throughout North Mexico and nearly 300,000 total dinners throughout Mexico.
The Day of Kindness and Compassion became a division-wide activity throughout the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America, organized by Youth Ministries and ADRA. The activity sought to promote acts of kindness and compassion to alleviate hunger among the needy.
Similar programs were held in community centers, parks, neighborhoods in 14 countries throughout Inter-America.
To view additional photos of this activity click here
