Jackson Free Press

Matt Casteel may claim Mississippi as home, but it's his travel experiences to countries like China and Mexico that motivate him to feed those in need.

Casteel, 25, is the program coordinator for Stop Hunger Now, a non-profit organization that provides meals to people in developing countries. Casteel coordinates the entire process from packaging to shipping the meals.

In June 2009, Stop Hunger Now opened a warehouse in Richland. The organization provides volunteer opportunities for groups by allowing them to raise money and package meals consisting of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and 21 vitamins and minerals. Each meal costs 25 cents to produce and has a shelf life of five years.

Casteel said the first large shipment from Richland provided food for people in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the country this month. The shipment arrived in December, before the earthquake hit.

"Five hundred thousand of the 1.5 million meals sent came from Jackson," Casteel says. "It wasn't in anticipation for anything, either, we were blessed to have those meals on the ground and ready to serve those who survived."

Casteel, the son of a Methodist minister, grew up in several towns and cities throughout Mississippi. He graduated from Millsaps College in 2007 with a degree in anthropology and sociology. After graduating he spent a year teaching English in China.

"I have traveled a good bit and seeing the desolation and degree of poverty in developing countries has really pushed me to be more proactive (to help others)," he says.

Stop Hunger Now is coordinating district-packaging events for anyone to participate in. The organization needs monetary donations to help with shipping and food cost. To donate or to find out how get involved visit stophungernow.org or call 601-667-4624.