Danforth Plant Science Center to Commemorate World Food Day

ST. LOUIS, MO, September 09, 2010 (Press-News.org) A child dies every six seconds from malnutrition and related illnesses according to reports by the World Health Organization. St. Louisans are invited to help address this critical need at a community event on October 15 and 16 hosted by The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, a not-for-profit working to eradicate malnutrition and preserve the planet through plant science. Bill DeWitt III, president, St. Louis Cardinals is serving as honorary chair of the event. Details can be found at http://www.danforthcenter.org/worldfoodday.

World Food Day to be held this year on October 16, marks the founding of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and is designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year around action to alleviate hunger.

On Friday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Danforth Center will commemorate World Food Day by engaging over 1500 volunteers to package more than 200,000 rice/soy protein meals for critically malnourished people in sub-Saharan Africa. Adults and children (as young as seven, with a parent) are invited to be part of volunteer teams working in an assembly-line formation to put together the ingredients into a packet that feeds up to six children. The packets will then be sealed and delivered to malnourished children and adults living in villages in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Danforth Center is focused on eradicating malnutrition and the many diseases and other challenges related to it through science - fortification of crops to make them not only more nutritious but more plentiful and resistant to disease and drought conditions. After packaging meals in a one hour shift to immediately address a global food crisis, volunteers will be offered the opportunity to tour the Center and its greenhouses, meet members of the international team and explore the long-term health and hunger solutions that drive much of the Center's research.

"We are grateful to Bill DeWitt III, our honorary chair, and the many dedicated volunteers working on this project for creating an opportunity for St. Louisans to help immediately feed the hungry while learning about how science can help address this issue on a long-term, global scale," said William H. Danforth, chair, Danforth Plant Science Center.

Each package provides nutritionally complete servings for six children. The food is designed to reverse the starvation process, help restore health, and improve mental and physical alertness. The sealed packages have a shelf life of three years. The cost of each life-sustaining meal is approximately 25 cents. Built into this cost are all the ingredients, packaging, administration, and international shipping of the food. Our partner, Outreach International, has agreed to deliver our meals - primarily to school feeding programs in sub-Saharan Africa or for use in emergency relief situations as the need arises.

These costs will be covered by donations from the volunteers: students (age 7 and up) are asked to contribute $15. Adults are asked to contribute $20. Their tax-deductible contributions will be matched by other generous donors and sponsors so that the full cost of a one hour packaging session - approximately $30 per person - is covered.

Those unable to attend October 15-16 commemoration activities are encouraged to make a donation to support the event - perhaps even purchasing the food packages for $10 to experience with your family and friends what the recipients of this humanitarian program will receive. A significant portion of the $10 cost is tax deductible and will help us to prepare meal packets for many others.

In addition, Cardinals fans can "Step up to the plate" by attending BioScience Day at the Ballpark on Sunday, September 19, 2010. The Cardinals have set aside 3,000 tickets at discounted prices with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Danforth Center's World Food Day commemoration. To purchase discounted tickets, simply visit http://www.cardinals.com/bioscienceday

On Saturday, October 2, shoppers and diners at Frontenac Plaza will have the opportunity to learn about World Food Day by observing a "food packaging event" at Center Court at 11:30 a.m., 12:15, 1:45 and 2:30 p.m. featuring local celebrities and members of the Danforth Center's Jr. Board of Directors.

The week of October 11-17 is "Scan and Give" week at Schnucks to benefit the Danforth Center World Food Day. Schnuck Markets will offer their customers (at checkout) the chance to scan for $1.50/$7.50/or $15 (1 bag of food/5 bags/10 bags).
Danforth Plant Science Center World Food Day Commemoration Sponsors

World Food day Commemoration Sponsors
"First Course" Sponsors: Bunge, Commerce Bank, Drury Inns, Hager Companies, Plaza Frontenac, Sauce Magazine, Schnuck Markets and Smurfit Stone

"PlaceSetter" Sponsors: AT&T, Edward Jones, Edwards-Medlin Farms, Monsanto, Stifel Financial, St. Louis Cardinals, US Bank

"Head of the Table" Sponsors: Boeing, Novus

About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research at the Danforth Center will feed the hungry and improve human health, preserve and renew the environment, and enhance the St. Louis region and Missouri as a world center for plant science. The Center's work is funded through competitive grants and contract revenue from many sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center invites you to visit its new website, http://www.danforthcenter.org; featuring interactive information on the Center's research, scientists, news and public education outreach. RSS feeds and the brand new "Roots & Shoots" blog allow visitors to keep up to date with Center's current operations and areas of research.