August 2, 2025 • 30 mins
On this Sunday Aug 3, 2025 Episode of CAROLINA Focus with Sharon Thorsland and Ed Billick
23rd Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive - guests include the folks from St Matthew RC Church. They discuss their mission from Meal Packing to fund raising and the great work in Haiti. Guests: Brother Prisca and Father Saran–Brothers with the Missioaries of the Poor in Cap Haitien, Haiti. They serve the Lord by caring for the disabled, orphans and the ailing elderly with love and respect, at their mission facility. Steve Favory – Co-Leader of the MMWHD and Executive Director of Hands for Haiti which operates St Marc’s School in Tremesse, Haiti.
Deacon Daren Bitter – Daren is a Deacon at St Matthew Catholic Church and is on the MMWHD leadership committee. He has led multiple Mission Trips to Haiti to work with the Missionaries of the Poor. Robert Manning – a member of the MMWHD leadership team and on many occasions, he has volunteered his time in Haiti. Bruce Anderson – serves on the MMWHD leadership team, and he has helped complete several projects and Sean Balbirnie – who has been a very active young adult at St Matthew. He and his team created and have led the Hoops for Hunger event which is a component of the MMWHD campaign. The Hoops for Hunger effort has been very successful in drawing kids, teens and young adults for a day of fun while bringing awareness to the plight of others and generating funds in support of the MMWHD. Conversations w/Ed
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good Morning Carolina.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Is welcome to Carolina Focus, our public affairs show every
Sunday on News Talk eleven ten ninety nine to three
WBT Mix one oh seventy nine and Sports Radio ninety
two to seven WFNZ along with Sharon Thorsland, I'm a Billick.
Let's get started for a very special special show right
here on Carolina Focus.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
So big.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
For twenty three years, a bridge has stretched from Charlotte,
North Carolina, across oceans and waters into the hearts and
homes of the world's most vulnerable. Thanks to the generosity
of parishioners and the community of Saint Matthew Catholic Church,
the Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive has become one of
(00:48):
the largest Catholic parish outreach efforts in the nation. It's
more than a fundraiser, It's a movement of love, purpose
and impact. What began as a vision to feed the
hungry has grown into hope and action.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well, good morning, Carolina Focus, and welcome back once again
with the team from Saint Matthew Catholic Church as they
prepare and execute another World Hunger Drive here in the
summer of twenty twenty five. This is now the twenty
third year of the Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive. I
have witnessed first hand the operational excellence of this team,
(01:29):
their passion, drive and love in their hearts. They are
a distinguished group of people dedicating themselves to this mission.
So let us begin on this Sunday morning, and let
me introduce Steve Favory, who's one of the official spokespersons
for the World hundred Drive. Steve, good morning. The our
listeners that are not familiar with this mission describe it.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
For us sure, and first of all, I thank you
for having us.
Speaker 5 (01:54):
It's great that we're able to tell the story and
have people understand how critical this mission is. As you mentioned,
it's twenty three years OLDE mon Signior McSweeney World Hunger Drive,
and our focus has helped the course of the poor
in one area that we've been focused in for the
(02:15):
whole twenty three years has been Haiti, and our family
down there is struggling more than ever because of the
situation in Haiti with the gangs and now the imploded
government and challenges the customs. It goes on and on
and on. So it's critical that we're able to help.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
Them down there.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
They are counting on us and with our parishioners, I
think we'll hit our goal, even though we increased our
budget over last year's budget by seventeen percent, because the
needs are so critical in Haiti.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
You know, guys, there's a very facets to this, and
one is the mill packing event, which to me is
most impressive. Let's talk that and get through that. How
many meals coming up on August sixteenth with a parishioners
and a volunteer's pack and give us a give us
a visual that because there are four different shifts that
(03:10):
goes on all day. Who wants to take that one?
Speaker 6 (03:12):
Yeah, there's a foot different shifts. Each shift is approximately
three hundred people actively packing what we call a meal pack,
and there's about one hundred and fifty people in the
background that supports them. The shifts are roughly two hours apiece.
Prior to each shift, the volunteers receive an overview of
(03:33):
how to pack the meals, how to load rice and
the meal and the vitamins that go into special little bags.
And each bag of rice feeds six people say, there
are six meals in each pack and they folks go
through a check in process, an introductory process, and there's
(03:54):
prayers throughout and during the day. We have a volunteer
that plays music all along and it's it's it's fascinating
because as we watch, especially young kids come in with
a not a smile, they leave with a big smile.
(04:14):
And at the end of each meal pack, there are
there's a group of folks who prepare the meals. They
actually prepare the meal packs, and so we have servings
of the of the rice for people to taste and
it does taste like chicken, but it's it's boxes are
stacked and folks that come through the through the meal
(04:37):
pack episode at the end of the meal when they're
exit I'm sorry, exiting the gym boxes and boxes of
meal packs so they can see what they have just done.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
The voice you're hearing is Robert Manning. He he's a
member of the team, has worked on many occasions, he's
volunteered in Haiti. So, Robert, how many meals will each
shift pack?
Speaker 7 (05:00):
Twenty five thousand roughly, I think seventy five.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Bruce Anderson's on with us seventy five each shift, so
that's three hundred thousand meals in the day. Yes, and Robert,
to your point time six, So that's quite a few meals.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
It'll be two hundred and eighty five thousand meals that
we actually ship to the country that the meal packs
are going, and the other amount of meals are distributed
locally to local areas that are a need that can
use food.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
You know what happens in that event, folks in a
division I've always seen is all the tables. Of course,
like Robert says, there's a DJ there each team, I
don't know eight ten people on the team. They become
competitive with themselves and some put the rice in, some
put the ingredients in or the vegetables and packet. It
becomes a competition and it's like an hour and a
(05:51):
half or so of each team, but it goes so
very fast. And Robert, you're exactly right. The smiles on
people's faces when they leave, it's just a good feeling, Steve,
it's a good feeling for what folks.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
Do doing that day right, Well, for sure, it's amazing
and you just feel the joy of the people and
the parishioners.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
And when you see the meal.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
Packed hit Haiti, which I have, they're very nutritious. For one,
they also are lens itself for food lines and stuff
at the school. We gave out meal packs because they're
individually packed, easy to give out, easy to support the community.
The brothers do the same thing. If they have a
(06:35):
surplus a meal pack, they will have a food line
to help the community. So it's an incredible way to
show the love that the parishioners have for the Haitians
is through these meal packed.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Yeah, it's quite quite impressive. Ag Also with us this
morning is Bruce Anderson. He's on the leadership team. He's
come completed several projects and works with Saint Mark School
down Are in Haiti, and Bruce has made many trips.
Bruce tell us about the end people, the terrible situation
in Haiti and yet the school that you guys have
(07:10):
helped create and the appreciation those people have. Tell us
a little bit, give us a visual for that.
Speaker 7 (07:16):
Okay, Ed And just to back up a little bit, Steve.
A couple other things to mention about the meal packing
event is one we take the health and safety and
security of the product very seriously. You can't be in
the room. It's not quite a clean room, but you
have to have a hairnet. If you have a beard.
(07:37):
We joke about having a beer net on. We have
constantly cleaning up and removing the excess material, the bags, sweeping,
trying to keep the crews safe as well as the
quality of the food at a very high level. And
then one other thing, Steve, you might mention is that
(07:59):
after twenty three years and doing the meal packing event,
over the past couple of decades, Sat Matthew has actually
encouraged other parish and schools to do their own meal
packing events throughout the year later in the year. So
it may be just the three hundred thousand plus meals
(08:22):
from the Saint Matthew's activities, but that is also supplemented
by meal packing events of similar interest from other institutions.
So we've helped spread the idea of volunteerism beyond the
borders of Saint Matthew's.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Yep, that is very true and be called of that.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
We're able to ship two plus containers a year the
meal packed because of the participant with other Catholic churches
and schools.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Well here on Carolina Focus and we're having a live
zoom discussion concerned the World Hunger Drive. Steve looks like
Father Sarah just joined us. Father, Good morning, Good morning.
Speaker 8 (09:07):
Are you able to hear me?
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Yes, we can hear you, Steve, why don't you introduce
father for us.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
Father glad to be here.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Thank you for Father Sooran.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
I would have actually told anybody, be a miracle if
you're able to get on because of the challenge of
the Haiti Internet and everything.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
So I've been seeing a miracle here. Father Saran has
been in Haiti several times, at least twice.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
I know.
Speaker 5 (09:35):
Initially when I met him he was brother Saran and
was working in Haiti at capation.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
That's when I met him.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
And then he went to India and then there he
studied to be a priest and was a priest, and
then he got sent back to Haiti, which has been
fantastic because when we go down it's great to be
able to have masks and having the priest on the
mission and everything. So he's been with the MOP for
(10:02):
part saying some time actually in the Father's round could
tell us how long he's been with the MOP, but
he's been a very active and critical brothers for the
Capitian MOP mission.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Father welcome any words as we continue our discussion here.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
Yes, thank you for welcoming me and thank you for
your other I have been here in Haiti since two
thousand and eight, but I have been in and out.
I stayed first time mission I did from eight two
thousand and eight till twelve twenty twelve, and then I
went back to my preparation for my final house in
(10:43):
twelve to thirteen, and then end of thirteen twenty thirteen,
I came back to Haiti again until twenty sixteen, and
then I was twenty sixteen I percent to study for priesthood.
And then after I've completed my studies in twenty twenty
(11:03):
two and I was ordaining twenty twenty three. On month
of January and I was up to that, I was
sent back to twenty twenty three April.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
I was back to Haiti. Since then I'm here good, we'll.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Come back to you. We'll ask for all what's going
on there in Haiti with us. Also this morning we
talked to the mill packing event. But also with us
is Sean Balbernie. And Sean, you do something that's not
the mill packing, but it's also critical in the fundraising
here for the World Hunger Drive. You do this thing
called Hoops for Hunger.
Speaker 9 (11:37):
What is that.
Speaker 10 (11:39):
Yeah, ed, So, Hoops for Hunger it's a three on
three basketball tournament. We collect shoes, flip flops, and funds
to support underserved communities in Jamaica and Haiti. You know,
kind of the reason that we started collecting shoes and
flip flops is, you know a lot of kids play
outside barefoot. We want to, you know, make sure the
(12:03):
kids are playing outside safely and and have the opportunity,
you know, to enjoy play outside in an enjoyable manner.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Right.
Speaker 10 (12:12):
So that's kind of the mission of Hoops for Hunger
and it's been going on for eleven years now.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Well and exactly what is it? Is it a basketball
tournament of sorts or what?
Speaker 11 (12:21):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Yeah, so it's a basketball tournament.
Speaker 10 (12:23):
And the the original objective was, you know, how can
we get more teams and and you know kind of
the youth more.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Involved than aware of our mission.
Speaker 10 (12:31):
Right, So, you know, after a lot of brainstorming, you know,
how can we get people involved? Everyone's competitive, right, and
and we have a gym right there on campus at
Saint Matthew.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
So you know, we thought a.
Speaker 10 (12:45):
Three on three basketball tournament would be a good way
to get people out and we have an opportunity to
you know, kind of share the mission of the World
Hunger Drive with them as well as you know, kind
of make them aware that, you know, there's there's people
who are a lot fortunate with a lot less resources,
and then we have an opportunity to give those resources.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
And you know.
Speaker 10 (13:06):
Some of the images and things that Steve has shared
of you know, the folks unpacking the shoes have been
really powerful, so you know, been able to you know,
kind of use that as like as a video that we.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Can show before the tournament. You know, Sean, I think
that's really special, especially the young people when they see
the photos and all, they also realize how fortunate they are,
but how ununfortunate some folks are across the world. So
keep up the good work on that. I think that's
going to be in the first part of August. And
you said eleven years now, huh, yeah, eleven years started
(13:41):
in twenty fourteen, and.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Yeah, this will be our eleventh year.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Yeah, wonderful.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
I do want to add one thing, Sean, and Hoops
for Hunger is so critical to the month Senior Mix
Winny World Hungered Right, one of our major goals is
to keep the youth involved and the hoops and Hunger
wills that initiative, and without them we would be missing
that goal.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
So thank you Sean for all your hard work.
Speaker 9 (14:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (14:08):
Absolutely, thank you Steve.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Beautiful beautiful you know, you know, Steve, we have another
brother trying to join us, and when he gets on
we'll chat with him with Father Saran. It's not only Haiti,
is it, Steve. We're expanding. I mean I even heard
some work is going on in Cuba, but also here
in Union in Mecklenburg County share the magnitude of this.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Drive, correct, Yeah, you know, it's World Hunger Drive and
we take that part.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
So you know, from a world standpoint.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
It's Haiti, the Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica, Venezuela,
a parish down in Venezuela. We came in contact through
a parishioner. And also we support Father Davis who's a
priest at Saint Matthew his diocey in India. In addition
to all this, we carve out a ten percent of
(14:57):
the funds to support local either local food banks. This year,
because of the situation in Western Carolina, will be sending
food and funds up to Western Carolina as they continue
to struggle to recover from the hurricane.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
That is absolutely fantastic. Okay with us in Carolina Focus,
we got Bruce Anderson, Robert Manning, father Saran from Haiti,
Sean Balbernie, of course Steve Faveri, guys, I understand total
amount of people involved, and that's why this is so
fascinating to me here on Carolina Focus. Seventeen hundred individuals
get involved with this every year. Am I imagining that?
(15:37):
Or did I hear that correctly? Bruce comments? Am I
correct on that?
Speaker 7 (15:44):
That's the total number, not just for meal packing, but
again people working behind the scenes, one supporting the meal packing.
And then I think as Robert and Steve who said,
you know the distribution process, the storage and distribution process
for the content that is sent to the various countries,
and that that involves the activities well practically all year round.
(16:08):
So this is a ongoing We make a big deal
about it. Sustainability, Sustainability both in terms of the program
and in terms of the resources that we've created with
our Haitian partners at the missionary at the mission as
well as at the school. The chickens, the fish, the
(16:29):
vegetables that are grown there. Stability is a big theme,
and it happens throughout the year, not just as a
one time event. So that number seventeen hundred is a
large number, but there probably are many other small activities
that take place in support of the program as well.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
You know, when I attended your team meeting last week,
what struck me as an operations guy is the specialties.
You know, you have thirty people I counted into room,
and maybe it was more than that. But run a
distribution side, Bruce, as you're mentioning, Robert, a whole bunch
of folks on the communication side, and all the communication
tools and all the kind of marketing of this. And
(17:12):
then and then, Sean, what I also saw was the
amount of people there just actively involved in their specialty.
And that's really the true measure of a great team.
Let's go back to father Saran there down in Haiti. Father,
I mean, we're so blessed here in the United States,
and you know that. Describe the living conditions there, Describe
(17:34):
the children, Describe the benefits of this world hunger drive
to your folks.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
There, Yes, sir, uh, the world.
Speaker 8 (17:45):
The program that you're doing is very helpful to us
here and it has it has a lot of being
packed primarily to our we are mission here in Haiti.
Our particular mission is to for the leadst of our
brothers and sisters. Normally in American term, we will say
(18:06):
nursing home. Here, nursing home where the elderly are have
taken care as well as we have handicapped children, and
then as well as we have the HIV patients as well.
So all together we have living in our nursing home
is around approximately two hundred persons.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
So we take care up daily.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
And so those are the primary benefits of your help
with those drives, and that they are the beneficiary and
they are very happy and so grateful for all those
years you have been partner with us in helping us
in here in Missionarcipoor. Since I came two thousand and eight,
(18:52):
I used to see Saint Matthew and I used to
see those world Hanger drive, those little stickers coming out
of the containers and which I personally, first of all,
I never knew, But as the time went on, I
began to knew that every month who used to receive
those days containers and those stickers were there and so
(19:14):
those were the people whom we used to tell who
received the benefits. Is to tell these are the persons
whom you don't see them in the photos, but they
are here. They are sending you a lot of loves
and greetings, and not only that just say the word,
but into reality. They have sent you the things that
you would able to benefit physically and nourish by it.
(19:38):
And so they are very grateful. I must say that
our residents are very grateful to receive those benefits that
you send, and which one of the things I realize
is that whatever they received they really learned to appreciate
and at the same time also continue to thank you
(20:00):
for all the gift that you have sent as well.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Well. I was just going to say, fathers around. What
he's talking about, folks, is when people are doing the
meal packing, there's this thing called box angels, and when
he can put a handwritten note, right, Steve is shaking
your head, a handwritten note that's going directly to the
people in Haiti. I think that's very special, father, and
I thank you for the I thank you for the
gratitude of those box angels. Steve, What is that? Did
(20:27):
I describe it? Correctly, you did. And you know we've
been doing that for twenty three years.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think we finally maybe six years ago, so that
won't it be nice to be able to send a
message to our family in Haiti. And that's when we
created the box Angels And during the backpacking events, a
family could grab as many stickers they would like they
have to complete them and then they actually put him
(20:52):
on the box and it's usually a message with love
from one family to another and it remakes an impact.
And as Bruce Minch and other churches have jumped in
and they all do box Angels.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
Now, Sean, you're small in your laugh and put a
smile on your phrase. I'm sure you've written a few
notes like I have. Yeah, no, that's right, Ed.
Speaker 10 (21:13):
I mean, you know, I first started volunteering at the
meal packing events packing containers with Steve and Robert, so
you know, obviously, then giving me the opportunity to get
a little bit more involved and try to run something
myself has been you know, fantastic, but you know it
always brings a spile on my face, you know, hearing
hearing about the impact that we're actually making in Haiti.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
Yeah, eventually the writings that you write. Sometimes here many
of them who are not don't know English, but they
when they see us, they ask what is written. They're
curious to know, so we tell them this is what
they have written and send to you. So they are
very happy to hear those words translated in Creole and
(21:58):
then they are able to understand what it means. So
your writings as well as what is inside, he speaks
a lot of the love that you have for our
least of our rathers and sisters.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
Hey, Steve, we found two other folks drop on and
I don't recognize who they are, and it looks like
another brother is on with us. Can you introduce or
do you want to do that?
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Yep, the brother Prescott's on. He's on mute. Hopefully he
could open up his audio. But he's the in charge
of the mission and capation. So I've been working with
him for several years. That usually fathers Ron would know,
but usually three or four years that they'll rotate the
leaders and the leaders. So we worked closely with him
(22:42):
during this difficult times sending containers.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
Now we can't send containers. Now we're working with him to.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
Figure out how we get the funds down there safely
so they could have financial resources to continue to buy
food locally.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
Brother Pisco, welcome to I think our pronounce your name correctly.
To Carolina Folcus, good morning.
Speaker 11 (23:01):
Yeah, good morning, and thank you for inviting us, for
accepting us to participate in the meeting. Here is a
joy to have a disapportunity to be there with you all.
As we said about the prist card p As, we're
just regarding our mission and Haiti, we have about one
(23:23):
hundred fifty residents, that's the elderly and the ex patience
close our children with it. We have this ability and
it is always our joy. We're always happy to have
people like like m w hd Monseigneur Mark Sweelly world
(23:46):
on the drive to accompany us, because I always say
that without the companion said from Saint Matthew Parish, I
don't know what we can say, what we can do
with our mission here in and hated because they acted,
the situation become hardest and with the system of the
(24:08):
of the country, with the government and probably body son
I said that already and mister Steve, our good friend.
We always there with us for three four five times
a year to pass by visitors and to see our work.
And we also because actually we have a contendent that
(24:28):
gets stuck in the in the in the in the
coustom because they are asking U so many, so many months,
so many the US dollar to pay for this cantennae.
I can say that without this support of Saint Matthew
Parish and all our friends, it is hardest and hardest
for us. But thanks to God that dogways accompany them
(24:52):
and they themselves reach.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Out to us.
Speaker 11 (24:55):
And we are always happy for that because without the friends,
as we call it MP, we don't.
Speaker 4 (25:03):
Have no where to pass.
Speaker 11 (25:05):
And we are very happy and with thanks for from
for MM I WHD organize this and that's that's that's
the joy at least, so we have the blessing that
we have in capation but win someday Staff, because.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Brother, thank you very much for jumping on. Hey guys,
as we're talking here this morning on Carolina Focus, Deacon
Darren Bitter has joined us. You know, Deacon is from
Saint Matthew Catholic Church folks, he's been involved with this
World Hunger Drive for many years. Deacon Darren, welcome to
Carolina Focus.
Speaker 9 (25:43):
Thank you, ed very happy to be here appreciate the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
We've had some great discussions so far this morning, your involvement,
your passion for many trips to Haiti, share your thoughts
with us.
Speaker 9 (25:55):
Well, I guess I would frame it by saying, when
I first went, I believe in two thousand fifteen, it
was pretty selfish move on my part because I thought
I was going to solve world problems or Haiti's problems.
And surprisingly to me, my heart was touched from the
very first moment I went. I've been back several times.
(26:18):
I've taken my daughter and friend of hers who wanted
to go for her sixteenth birthday, And what has developed
is relationships and putting your arm around someone who is
in desperate need. We could spend the rest of your
show and beyond talking about the gravity of need, But
(26:40):
for me, my heart has been touched by the people
that we have been able to serve.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
You know, with Steve and the team here, we've talked
you know, the mill packing event, the fundraising, the hoops
for hunger. I mean, all those components continues to grow
in twenty three years, doesn't it. And then now we're
also going to be helping the less fortunate in other
countries as well.
Speaker 9 (27:07):
It is absolutely fascinating ed the scope and the magnitude
of this effort. And yeah, the lives that we've touched,
and that's what I think of when I think of
the people there, right and the principally Haiti. We've been
talking about Haiti, but clearly other parts of the world
(27:28):
there are tremendous needs. We hear it in Gaza, Central America,
the Caribbean, the need is exceptional and we have been
able to do hopefully a small part in resolving.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
That, and of some of the funds and meals this
year are going to go to those folks in western
North Carolinas. Steve was sharing with us that's pretty neat
as well.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
Absolutely, yeah, and that touches my heart as well. I'm
fortunate enough to own the property in Mitchell County and
was responsible for flying a lot of air drops through
there last October. It's also in conjunction to Saint Matthew,
in conjunction with Saint Eugene Parish of Bars within the
(28:12):
diocese in Asheville.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
Are you going to be in the hoops for hunger?
Are you going to be a three man team? Can
you be playing some basketball? No, I would clearly, I
would definitely hurt myself. It's called know your role and
know your role. Oh absolutely. And what Sean and the
younger folks are doing, I think that is really neat.
You know, sneakers and flip flops for the poor kids there.
(28:36):
I just can't imagine running around all day long in
bare feet like that. It's just something.
Speaker 9 (28:42):
Well, as I said my first trip in twenty fifteen,
I was struck by and the Brothers Missionaries of the
Poor do this weekly, probably a couple times a week.
They play soccer. They're at their place and capation, but
walking outside the compound you're seeing kids on concrete eat
playing soccer barefeet.
Speaker 8 (29:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
It's easy, with all that we do with the World
Hunger Drive and the meal packing event, to get lost
in numbers and you know the amount that we have shipped,
the number of sneakers, the kids that we support. But
for me, and my invitation for all the listeners would
(29:25):
be to just do what you can to make a
small difference. You may think it's not a drop in
the bucket, but collectively it is. It's the body of Christ.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Folks. We're going to take a break here on Carolina Focus.
We'll come back in the second half. We have the
folks with Saint Matthew World Hunger Drive and plus for
the first time ever on this Carolina Focus, we have
international participants from Haiti, father Sarana, brother, Pisca. Guys. Hang on,
we'll come right back right after this. On Carolina Focus,
(30:01):
you
Good Morning Carolina.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Is welcome to Carolina Focus, our public affairs show every
Sunday on News Talk eleven ten ninety nine to three
WBT Mix one oh seventy nine and Sports Radio ninety
two to seven WFNZ along with Sharon Thorsland, I'm a Billick.
Let's get started for a very special special show right
here on Carolina Focus.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
So big.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
For twenty three years, a bridge has stretched from Charlotte,
North Carolina, across oceans and waters into the hearts and
homes of the world's most vulnerable. Thanks to the generosity
of parishioners and the community of Saint Matthew Catholic Church,
the Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive has become one of
(00:48):
the largest Catholic parish outreach efforts in the nation. It's
more than a fundraiser, It's a movement of love, purpose
and impact. What began as a vision to feed the
hungry has grown into hope and action.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well, good morning, Carolina Focus, and welcome back once again
with the team from Saint Matthew Catholic Church as they
prepare and execute another World Hunger Drive here in the
summer of twenty twenty five. This is now the twenty
third year of the Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive. I
have witnessed first hand the operational excellence of this team,
(01:29):
their passion, drive and love in their hearts. They are
a distinguished group of people dedicating themselves to this mission.
So let us begin on this Sunday morning, and let
me introduce Steve Favory, who's one of the official spokespersons
for the World hundred Drive. Steve, good morning. The our
listeners that are not familiar with this mission describe it.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
For us sure, and first of all, I thank you
for having us.
Speaker 5 (01:54):
It's great that we're able to tell the story and
have people understand how critical this mission is. As you mentioned,
it's twenty three years OLDE mon Signior McSweeney World Hunger Drive,
and our focus has helped the course of the poor
in one area that we've been focused in for the
(02:15):
whole twenty three years has been Haiti, and our family
down there is struggling more than ever because of the
situation in Haiti with the gangs and now the imploded
government and challenges the customs. It goes on and on
and on. So it's critical that we're able to help.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
Them down there.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
They are counting on us and with our parishioners, I
think we'll hit our goal, even though we increased our
budget over last year's budget by seventeen percent, because the
needs are so critical in Haiti.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
You know, guys, there's a very facets to this, and
one is the mill packing event, which to me is
most impressive. Let's talk that and get through that. How
many meals coming up on August sixteenth with a parishioners
and a volunteer's pack and give us a give us
a visual that because there are four different shifts that
(03:10):
goes on all day. Who wants to take that one?
Speaker 6 (03:12):
Yeah, there's a foot different shifts. Each shift is approximately
three hundred people actively packing what we call a meal pack,
and there's about one hundred and fifty people in the
background that supports them. The shifts are roughly two hours apiece.
Prior to each shift, the volunteers receive an overview of
(03:33):
how to pack the meals, how to load rice and
the meal and the vitamins that go into special little bags.
And each bag of rice feeds six people say, there
are six meals in each pack and they folks go
through a check in process, an introductory process, and there's
(03:54):
prayers throughout and during the day. We have a volunteer
that plays music all along and it's it's it's fascinating
because as we watch, especially young kids come in with
a not a smile, they leave with a big smile.
(04:14):
And at the end of each meal pack, there are
there's a group of folks who prepare the meals. They
actually prepare the meal packs, and so we have servings
of the of the rice for people to taste and
it does taste like chicken, but it's it's boxes are
stacked and folks that come through the through the meal
(04:37):
pack episode at the end of the meal when they're
exit I'm sorry, exiting the gym boxes and boxes of
meal packs so they can see what they have just done.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
The voice you're hearing is Robert Manning. He he's a
member of the team, has worked on many occasions, he's
volunteered in Haiti. So, Robert, how many meals will each
shift pack?
Speaker 7 (05:00):
Twenty five thousand roughly, I think seventy five.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Bruce Anderson's on with us seventy five each shift, so
that's three hundred thousand meals in the day. Yes, and Robert,
to your point time six, So that's quite a few meals.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
It'll be two hundred and eighty five thousand meals that
we actually ship to the country that the meal packs
are going, and the other amount of meals are distributed
locally to local areas that are a need that can
use food.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
You know what happens in that event, folks in a
division I've always seen is all the tables. Of course,
like Robert says, there's a DJ there each team, I
don't know eight ten people on the team. They become
competitive with themselves and some put the rice in, some
put the ingredients in or the vegetables and packet. It
becomes a competition and it's like an hour and a
(05:51):
half or so of each team, but it goes so
very fast. And Robert, you're exactly right. The smiles on
people's faces when they leave, it's just a good feeling, Steve,
it's a good feeling for what folks.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
Do doing that day right, Well, for sure, it's amazing
and you just feel the joy of the people and
the parishioners.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
And when you see the meal.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
Packed hit Haiti, which I have, they're very nutritious. For one,
they also are lens itself for food lines and stuff
at the school. We gave out meal packs because they're
individually packed, easy to give out, easy to support the community.
The brothers do the same thing. If they have a
(06:35):
surplus a meal pack, they will have a food line
to help the community. So it's an incredible way to
show the love that the parishioners have for the Haitians
is through these meal packed.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Yeah, it's quite quite impressive. Ag Also with us this
morning is Bruce Anderson. He's on the leadership team. He's
come completed several projects and works with Saint Mark School
down Are in Haiti, and Bruce has made many trips.
Bruce tell us about the end people, the terrible situation
in Haiti and yet the school that you guys have
(07:10):
helped create and the appreciation those people have. Tell us
a little bit, give us a visual for that.
Speaker 7 (07:16):
Okay, Ed And just to back up a little bit, Steve.
A couple other things to mention about the meal packing
event is one we take the health and safety and
security of the product very seriously. You can't be in
the room. It's not quite a clean room, but you
have to have a hairnet. If you have a beard.
(07:37):
We joke about having a beer net on. We have
constantly cleaning up and removing the excess material, the bags, sweeping,
trying to keep the crews safe as well as the
quality of the food at a very high level. And
then one other thing, Steve, you might mention is that
(07:59):
after twenty three years and doing the meal packing event,
over the past couple of decades, Sat Matthew has actually
encouraged other parish and schools to do their own meal
packing events throughout the year later in the year. So
it may be just the three hundred thousand plus meals
(08:22):
from the Saint Matthew's activities, but that is also supplemented
by meal packing events of similar interest from other institutions.
So we've helped spread the idea of volunteerism beyond the
borders of Saint Matthew's.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Yep, that is very true and be called of that.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
We're able to ship two plus containers a year the
meal packed because of the participant with other Catholic churches
and schools.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Well here on Carolina Focus and we're having a live
zoom discussion concerned the World Hunger Drive. Steve looks like
Father Sarah just joined us. Father, Good morning, Good morning.
Speaker 8 (09:07):
Are you able to hear me?
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Yes, we can hear you, Steve, why don't you introduce
father for us.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
Father glad to be here.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Thank you for Father Sooran.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
I would have actually told anybody, be a miracle if
you're able to get on because of the challenge of
the Haiti Internet and everything.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
So I've been seeing a miracle here. Father Saran has
been in Haiti several times, at least twice.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
I know.
Speaker 5 (09:35):
Initially when I met him he was brother Saran and
was working in Haiti at capation.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
That's when I met him.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
And then he went to India and then there he
studied to be a priest and was a priest, and
then he got sent back to Haiti, which has been
fantastic because when we go down it's great to be
able to have masks and having the priest on the
mission and everything. So he's been with the MOP for
(10:02):
part saying some time actually in the Father's round could
tell us how long he's been with the MOP, but
he's been a very active and critical brothers for the
Capitian MOP mission.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Father welcome any words as we continue our discussion here.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
Yes, thank you for welcoming me and thank you for
your other I have been here in Haiti since two
thousand and eight, but I have been in and out.
I stayed first time mission I did from eight two
thousand and eight till twelve twenty twelve, and then I
went back to my preparation for my final house in
(10:43):
twelve to thirteen, and then end of thirteen twenty thirteen,
I came back to Haiti again until twenty sixteen, and
then I was twenty sixteen I percent to study for priesthood.
And then after I've completed my studies in twenty twenty
(11:03):
two and I was ordaining twenty twenty three. On month
of January and I was up to that, I was
sent back to twenty twenty three April.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
I was back to Haiti. Since then I'm here good, we'll.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Come back to you. We'll ask for all what's going
on there in Haiti with us. Also this morning we
talked to the mill packing event. But also with us
is Sean Balbernie. And Sean, you do something that's not
the mill packing, but it's also critical in the fundraising
here for the World Hunger Drive. You do this thing
called Hoops for Hunger.
Speaker 9 (11:37):
What is that.
Speaker 10 (11:39):
Yeah, ed, So, Hoops for Hunger it's a three on
three basketball tournament. We collect shoes, flip flops, and funds
to support underserved communities in Jamaica and Haiti. You know,
kind of the reason that we started collecting shoes and
flip flops is, you know a lot of kids play
outside barefoot. We want to, you know, make sure the
(12:03):
kids are playing outside safely and and have the opportunity,
you know, to enjoy play outside in an enjoyable manner.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Right.
Speaker 10 (12:12):
So that's kind of the mission of Hoops for Hunger
and it's been going on for eleven years now.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Well and exactly what is it? Is it a basketball
tournament of sorts or what?
Speaker 11 (12:21):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Yeah, so it's a basketball tournament.
Speaker 10 (12:23):
And the the original objective was, you know, how can
we get more teams and and you know kind of
the youth more.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Involved than aware of our mission.
Speaker 10 (12:31):
Right, So, you know, after a lot of brainstorming, you know,
how can we get people involved? Everyone's competitive, right, and
and we have a gym right there on campus at
Saint Matthew.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
So you know, we thought a.
Speaker 10 (12:45):
Three on three basketball tournament would be a good way
to get people out and we have an opportunity to
you know, kind of share the mission of the World
Hunger Drive with them as well as you know, kind
of make them aware that, you know, there's there's people
who are a lot fortunate with a lot less resources,
and then we have an opportunity to give those resources.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
And you know.
Speaker 10 (13:06):
Some of the images and things that Steve has shared
of you know, the folks unpacking the shoes have been
really powerful, so you know, been able to you know,
kind of use that as like as a video that we.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Can show before the tournament. You know, Sean, I think
that's really special, especially the young people when they see
the photos and all, they also realize how fortunate they are,
but how ununfortunate some folks are across the world. So
keep up the good work on that. I think that's
going to be in the first part of August. And
you said eleven years now, huh, yeah, eleven years started
(13:41):
in twenty fourteen, and.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Yeah, this will be our eleventh year.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Yeah, wonderful.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
I do want to add one thing, Sean, and Hoops
for Hunger is so critical to the month Senior Mix
Winny World Hungered Right, one of our major goals is
to keep the youth involved and the hoops and Hunger
wills that initiative, and without them we would be missing
that goal.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
So thank you Sean for all your hard work.
Speaker 9 (14:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (14:08):
Absolutely, thank you Steve.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Beautiful beautiful you know, you know, Steve, we have another
brother trying to join us, and when he gets on
we'll chat with him with Father Saran. It's not only Haiti,
is it, Steve. We're expanding. I mean I even heard
some work is going on in Cuba, but also here
in Union in Mecklenburg County share the magnitude of this.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
Drive, correct, Yeah, you know, it's World Hunger Drive and
we take that part.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
So you know, from a world standpoint.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
It's Haiti, the Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica, Venezuela,
a parish down in Venezuela. We came in contact through
a parishioner. And also we support Father Davis who's a
priest at Saint Matthew his diocey in India. In addition
to all this, we carve out a ten percent of
(14:57):
the funds to support local either local food banks. This year,
because of the situation in Western Carolina, will be sending
food and funds up to Western Carolina as they continue
to struggle to recover from the hurricane.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
That is absolutely fantastic. Okay with us in Carolina Focus,
we got Bruce Anderson, Robert Manning, father Saran from Haiti,
Sean Balbernie, of course Steve Faveri, guys, I understand total
amount of people involved, and that's why this is so
fascinating to me here on Carolina Focus. Seventeen hundred individuals
get involved with this every year. Am I imagining that?
(15:37):
Or did I hear that correctly? Bruce comments? Am I
correct on that?
Speaker 7 (15:44):
That's the total number, not just for meal packing, but
again people working behind the scenes, one supporting the meal packing.
And then I think as Robert and Steve who said,
you know the distribution process, the storage and distribution process
for the content that is sent to the various countries,
and that that involves the activities well practically all year round.
(16:08):
So this is a ongoing We make a big deal
about it. Sustainability, Sustainability both in terms of the program
and in terms of the resources that we've created with
our Haitian partners at the missionary at the mission as
well as at the school. The chickens, the fish, the
(16:29):
vegetables that are grown there. Stability is a big theme,
and it happens throughout the year, not just as a
one time event. So that number seventeen hundred is a
large number, but there probably are many other small activities
that take place in support of the program as well.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
You know, when I attended your team meeting last week,
what struck me as an operations guy is the specialties.
You know, you have thirty people I counted into room,
and maybe it was more than that. But run a
distribution side, Bruce, as you're mentioning, Robert, a whole bunch
of folks on the communication side, and all the communication
tools and all the kind of marketing of this. And
(17:12):
then and then, Sean, what I also saw was the
amount of people there just actively involved in their specialty.
And that's really the true measure of a great team.
Let's go back to father Saran there down in Haiti. Father,
I mean, we're so blessed here in the United States,
and you know that. Describe the living conditions there, Describe
(17:34):
the children, Describe the benefits of this world hunger drive
to your folks.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
There, Yes, sir, uh, the world.
Speaker 8 (17:45):
The program that you're doing is very helpful to us
here and it has it has a lot of being
packed primarily to our we are mission here in Haiti.
Our particular mission is to for the leadst of our
brothers and sisters. Normally in American term, we will say
(18:06):
nursing home. Here, nursing home where the elderly are have
taken care as well as we have handicapped children, and
then as well as we have the HIV patients as well.
So all together we have living in our nursing home
is around approximately two hundred persons.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
So we take care up daily.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
And so those are the primary benefits of your help
with those drives, and that they are the beneficiary and
they are very happy and so grateful for all those
years you have been partner with us in helping us
in here in Missionarcipoor. Since I came two thousand and eight,
(18:52):
I used to see Saint Matthew and I used to
see those world Hanger drive, those little stickers coming out
of the containers and which I personally, first of all,
I never knew, But as the time went on, I
began to knew that every month who used to receive
those days containers and those stickers were there and so
(19:14):
those were the people whom we used to tell who
received the benefits. Is to tell these are the persons
whom you don't see them in the photos, but they
are here. They are sending you a lot of loves
and greetings, and not only that just say the word,
but into reality. They have sent you the things that
you would able to benefit physically and nourish by it.
(19:38):
And so they are very grateful. I must say that
our residents are very grateful to receive those benefits that
you send, and which one of the things I realize
is that whatever they received they really learned to appreciate
and at the same time also continue to thank you
(20:00):
for all the gift that you have sent as well.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Well. I was just going to say, fathers around. What
he's talking about, folks, is when people are doing the
meal packing, there's this thing called box angels, and when
he can put a handwritten note, right, Steve is shaking
your head, a handwritten note that's going directly to the
people in Haiti. I think that's very special, father, and
I thank you for the I thank you for the
gratitude of those box angels. Steve, What is that? Did
(20:27):
I describe it? Correctly, you did. And you know we've
been doing that for twenty three years.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think we finally maybe six years ago, so that
won't it be nice to be able to send a
message to our family in Haiti. And that's when we
created the box Angels And during the backpacking events, a
family could grab as many stickers they would like they
have to complete them and then they actually put him
(20:52):
on the box and it's usually a message with love
from one family to another and it remakes an impact.
And as Bruce Minch and other churches have jumped in
and they all do box Angels.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
Now, Sean, you're small in your laugh and put a
smile on your phrase. I'm sure you've written a few
notes like I have. Yeah, no, that's right, Ed.
Speaker 10 (21:13):
I mean, you know, I first started volunteering at the
meal packing events packing containers with Steve and Robert, so
you know, obviously, then giving me the opportunity to get
a little bit more involved and try to run something
myself has been you know, fantastic, but you know it
always brings a spile on my face, you know, hearing
hearing about the impact that we're actually making in Haiti.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
Yeah, eventually the writings that you write. Sometimes here many
of them who are not don't know English, but they
when they see us, they ask what is written. They're
curious to know, so we tell them this is what
they have written and send to you. So they are
very happy to hear those words translated in Creole and
(21:58):
then they are able to understand what it means. So
your writings as well as what is inside, he speaks
a lot of the love that you have for our
least of our rathers and sisters.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
Hey, Steve, we found two other folks drop on and
I don't recognize who they are, and it looks like
another brother is on with us. Can you introduce or
do you want to do that?
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Yep, the brother Prescott's on. He's on mute. Hopefully he
could open up his audio. But he's the in charge
of the mission and capation. So I've been working with
him for several years. That usually fathers Ron would know,
but usually three or four years that they'll rotate the
leaders and the leaders. So we worked closely with him
(22:42):
during this difficult times sending containers.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
Now we can't send containers. Now we're working with him to.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
Figure out how we get the funds down there safely
so they could have financial resources to continue to buy
food locally.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
Brother Pisco, welcome to I think our pronounce your name correctly.
To Carolina Folcus, good morning.
Speaker 11 (23:01):
Yeah, good morning, and thank you for inviting us, for
accepting us to participate in the meeting. Here is a
joy to have a disapportunity to be there with you all.
As we said about the prist card p As, we're
just regarding our mission and Haiti, we have about one
(23:23):
hundred fifty residents, that's the elderly and the ex patience
close our children with it. We have this ability and
it is always our joy. We're always happy to have
people like like m w hd Monseigneur Mark Sweelly world
(23:46):
on the drive to accompany us, because I always say
that without the companion said from Saint Matthew Parish, I
don't know what we can say, what we can do
with our mission here in and hated because they acted,
the situation become hardest and with the system of the
(24:08):
of the country, with the government and probably body son
I said that already and mister Steve, our good friend.
We always there with us for three four five times
a year to pass by visitors and to see our work.
And we also because actually we have a contendent that
(24:28):
gets stuck in the in the in the in the
coustom because they are asking U so many, so many months,
so many the US dollar to pay for this cantennae.
I can say that without this support of Saint Matthew
Parish and all our friends, it is hardest and hardest
for us. But thanks to God that dogways accompany them
(24:52):
and they themselves reach.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Out to us.
Speaker 11 (24:55):
And we are always happy for that because without the friends,
as we call it MP, we don't.
Speaker 4 (25:03):
Have no where to pass.
Speaker 11 (25:05):
And we are very happy and with thanks for from
for MM I WHD organize this and that's that's that's
the joy at least, so we have the blessing that
we have in capation but win someday Staff, because.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Brother, thank you very much for jumping on. Hey guys,
as we're talking here this morning on Carolina Focus, Deacon
Darren Bitter has joined us. You know, Deacon is from
Saint Matthew Catholic Church folks, he's been involved with this
World Hunger Drive for many years. Deacon Darren, welcome to
Carolina Focus.
Speaker 9 (25:43):
Thank you, ed very happy to be here appreciate the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
We've had some great discussions so far this morning, your involvement,
your passion for many trips to Haiti, share your thoughts
with us.
Speaker 9 (25:55):
Well, I guess I would frame it by saying, when
I first went, I believe in two thousand fifteen, it
was pretty selfish move on my part because I thought
I was going to solve world problems or Haiti's problems.
And surprisingly to me, my heart was touched from the
very first moment I went. I've been back several times.
(26:18):
I've taken my daughter and friend of hers who wanted
to go for her sixteenth birthday, And what has developed
is relationships and putting your arm around someone who is
in desperate need. We could spend the rest of your
show and beyond talking about the gravity of need, But
(26:40):
for me, my heart has been touched by the people
that we have been able to serve.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
You know, with Steve and the team here, we've talked
you know, the mill packing event, the fundraising, the hoops
for hunger. I mean, all those components continues to grow
in twenty three years, doesn't it. And then now we're
also going to be helping the less fortunate in other
countries as well.
Speaker 9 (27:07):
It is absolutely fascinating ed the scope and the magnitude
of this effort. And yeah, the lives that we've touched,
and that's what I think of when I think of
the people there, right and the principally Haiti. We've been
talking about Haiti, but clearly other parts of the world
(27:28):
there are tremendous needs. We hear it in Gaza, Central America,
the Caribbean, the need is exceptional and we have been
able to do hopefully a small part in resolving.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
That, and of some of the funds and meals this
year are going to go to those folks in western
North Carolinas. Steve was sharing with us that's pretty neat
as well.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
Absolutely, yeah, and that touches my heart as well. I'm
fortunate enough to own the property in Mitchell County and
was responsible for flying a lot of air drops through
there last October. It's also in conjunction to Saint Matthew,
in conjunction with Saint Eugene Parish of Bars within the
(28:12):
diocese in Asheville.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
Are you going to be in the hoops for hunger?
Are you going to be a three man team? Can
you be playing some basketball? No, I would clearly, I
would definitely hurt myself. It's called know your role and
know your role. Oh absolutely. And what Sean and the
younger folks are doing, I think that is really neat.
You know, sneakers and flip flops for the poor kids there.
(28:36):
I just can't imagine running around all day long in
bare feet like that. It's just something.
Speaker 9 (28:42):
Well, as I said my first trip in twenty fifteen,
I was struck by and the Brothers Missionaries of the
Poor do this weekly, probably a couple times a week.
They play soccer. They're at their place and capation, but
walking outside the compound you're seeing kids on concrete eat
playing soccer barefeet.
Speaker 8 (29:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
It's easy, with all that we do with the World
Hunger Drive and the meal packing event, to get lost
in numbers and you know the amount that we have shipped,
the number of sneakers, the kids that we support. But
for me, and my invitation for all the listeners would
(29:25):
be to just do what you can to make a
small difference. You may think it's not a drop in
the bucket, but collectively it is. It's the body of Christ.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Folks. We're going to take a break here on Carolina Focus.
We'll come back in the second half. We have the
folks with Saint Matthew World Hunger Drive and plus for
the first time ever on this Carolina Focus, we have
international participants from Haiti, father Sarana, brother, Pisca. Guys. Hang on,
we'll come right back right after this. On Carolina Focus,
(30:01):
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