November 26, 2024 witnessed an inspiring event at St. John's University. Motivated by the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and the Vincentian mission of the institution, over 100 students came together with Protiviti employees. They dedicated their efforts to packing more than 20,000 meals that will be distributed to needy families overseas.

Thanksgiving Spirit Meets Global Food Insecurity at St. John's

Volunteers and Their Impact

The "I On Hunger" food packing event held on November 25 was a significant part of Protiviti's commitment to combating global food insecurity. Among the volunteers was Joseph A. Tarantino '80CBA, the President and CEO of the company and a member of St. John's Board of Trustees. Students and Protiviti employees worked in harmony with North Carolina-based nonprofit Rise Against Hunger. Their goal was to box 20,000 meals in 2 ½ hours, but they exceeded it by packing 20,088 meals with half an hour to spare.Mr. Tarantino emphasized the importance of the event during Thanksgiving week when most of us enjoy big meals. He pointed out that over 700 million people worldwide are hungry, including 14 million children in the US. This event at St. John's shines a light on food insecurity globally.Protiviti has been partnering with Rise Against Hunger for over a decade, packing more than 16 million meals for needy people around the world. St. John's students were eager to participate, with 106 donning gloves and head covers in Marillac Hall Terrace.

Shared Values and Mission

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., the President, welcomed the volunteers and highlighted the shared values between St. John's and Protiviti. He mentioned that food insecurity exists even within the community. The work done by the volunteers will directly impact people's lives, and it is a perfect fit between the two missions.In an assembly-line fashion, groups of volunteers filled plastic bags with various food items like rice, dried vegetables, vitamins, and soy. They sealed the bags securely and placed them in boxes that were later loaded onto a Rise Against Hunger truck. The students believed that raising awareness of food insecurity was a proper Vincentian thing to do during Thanksgiving.Amena Novruz, a first-year Biomedical Sciences student from Queens, NY, emphasized the importance of taking time to help others. She said, "Food is plentiful in my life, but we know people are suffering from food scarcity." Rujina Begun, a first-year Accounting student from Brooklyn, NY, added, "I wanted to give something back to the community at this time of year. I'm very grateful for what I have."

Music and Progress

Music blared as the volunteers filled the boxes. Rise Against Hunger Partnerships and Events Manager Steve Carballo kept the volunteers updated on their progress. By 3:30 p.m., which was half an hour before the scheduled conclusion, all available boxes were filled. The acknowledgement was met with applause from inside Marillac Terrace. As the volunteers sealed their final boxes, student Rashaun Gardner reflected on his good fortune. He said, "Instead of a once-a-year thing, we want to make awareness of food insecurity a daily thing. You want to bring a smile to people's faces because you never know what they are going through."This event not only demonstrated the power of unity but also highlighted the importance of addressing global food insecurity. It is a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of those in need.