People in the Heart of Virginia recently spent a Saturday morning accomplishing an enormous feat.

About 60 representatives of Presbyterian churches throughout the region packaged 20,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger, an international nonprofit organization, that is set to deliver the meals to families in Haiti.

Organizer Barbara Mason noted that the Oct. 7 event, held at Appomattox PE Presbyterian Church, required several stations where volunteers packaged, weighed, boxed and transported bags of rice and other supplies in containers. Each container will feed up to six people, Mason said.

The recent natural disasters in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico have seen numerous people and organizations in the Heart of Virginia give their time and resources to help those who are struggling.

Though geographically those struggles are far from our communities, their impact can be deeply felt by people here who have family and friends in those areas. Whether connected with those affected by the disasters or not, the empathy and drive to help from participants in Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties and the Town of Farmville have been evident, both through this event and others, and have been sources of inspiration to continue to serve others.

We at The Herald commend Mason and every person who participated in the Oct. 7 event who used their time and resources to make a difference for families in Haiti. Thanks goes to Rise Against Hunger, particularly its office in Lynchburg, who brought resources and encouragement to the church and to the numerous events they hold throughout the region.

Mason and the Rev. Dr. Tom Robinson, who participated in the event, noted that various places of worship have also given their time and resources to help in and outside of the community, including Jericho Baptist Church and students and staff at Hampden-Sydney College and Longwood University. Gratitude goes to them as well.