Project contributes 5,000 meals to area food pantries
When local Modern Woodmen of America representatives learned that 14.2 percent of households in Illinois experience or are at risk of hunger, they sought to make a difference. Jeffrey N. Sowards, regional director for Modern Woodmen, organized a meal-packing event with the representatives and their families.
"It was truly shocking to learn of the food insecurity in Illinois," said Sowards. "We're excited to do our part to end hunger in our community."
The event took place on Sept. 19 at First Congregational Church in Clinton, Iowa, where Joseph Cullen Root, Modern Woodmen's founder, heard the sermon that inspired the organization's name in 1883. The event supports Modern Woodmen's Knock Out Hunger campaign, a national effort to prepare and donate 500,000 meals throughout the country. Sowards' event produced 5,000 meals, which have been donated to local food pantries.
"This is such an important project - I hope it drives others to contribute to their local food pantries and shelters," said Sowards.
As a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment* products not to benefit stockholders, but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders - members, their families and their communities. This is accomplished through social, charitable and volunteer activities. In 2014, Modern Woodmen and its members provided more than $19 million and nearly 437,000 volunteer hours for community projects nationwide.
* Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America
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