Extra Table and Leadership Pine Belt fight hunger together

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (WDAM) – Leadership Pine Belt and Extra Table have joined forces to fight hunger.

With the help of dozens of volunteers, the organizations were able to package and donate 2,500 one-pot meals to the Edwards Street Fellowship Center food bank.

“In August, we distributed the shelf-stable, shelf-stable foods to over 2,000 households here in the Pine Belt. Those households are over 7,000 people, so the need is huge,” said Ann McCullen, executive director of the Edwards Street Fellowship Center. “And that food was donated to us, it's so nutritious and easy for people to prepare, it really is a one-pot miracle.”

Each bag of red beans and rice contained four servings.

Thursday’s packing party was the first of many as part of Extra Table’s new “Extra Full” initiative.

“So basically they developed this bag that has all the nutrients in it,” said Karelia Pitts of Leadership Pine Belt. “It's a complete protein, with red beans and rice, so all you need is hot water. So you can cut the top off. You don't need any special equipment or other ingredients.”

“Sometimes at a food bank you get some green beans, maybe some peanut butter or other things. With 'Extra Full,' they've designed it so that you have everything you need for a meal in one.”

Leadership Pine Belt raised $21,000, more than double its goal of $10,000.

Pitts said the funds raised will allow Extra Table to host three more packing parties.

Want more WDAM 7 news delivered to your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

All rights reserved.