A group of companies owned by local businessman Derrick Christy hosted a two-hour volunteer event to pack thousands of meals for hungry people through a partnership with local non-for-profit organization Pack Away Hunger.   

Team members and volunteers from the companies produced 15,552 meals that will be shipped to thousands of hungry families.  In addition to producing and packaging the meals, the company also helped purchase the raw materials required to make the meals.

The meals are simple to cook and require just six cups of boiling water to make a complete nutritious meal that feeds up to six family members. Each meal provides a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, and 21 different vitamins and minerals that are easily digestible and essential to a malnourished body.

“Our team members and companies are committed to social responsibility and making a positive impact through community goodwill,” said Derrick Christy, CEO and Business Owner.  “We greatly appreciate Pack Away Hunger for helping us make a difference in the lives of others in need.”

Pack Away Hunger is a local non-for-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of children and others who suffer from hunger and malnutrition.  Pack Away Hunger partners with businesses, community organizations, and individuals willing to join the mission to fight hunger.  Collectively the partnerships produce over 2 million meals per year for national and international distribution.  Half of those meals go directly to local community food pantries to help feed Indiana families.

“Our companies enjoy giving back in different ways and our Packing Party to fight hunger is another example of our team coming together to provide for our local community and other communities worldwide,” said Christy.

Besides the Packing Party event to fight hunger, the companies and its team members recently donated over 500 different items to Wheeler Mission Ministries to help the disadvantaged and homeless men, women, and children in the local community.  Currently the company has collected hundreds of toys for the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots national program.

ABOUT DERRICK CHRISTY

Derrick Christy is one of Indianapolis’ most respected Southside business leaders. He is a Greenwood native with a family of businesses rooted in Johnson County. From a hard working youth to becoming the President and Founder of a large consortium of privately held companies, his passion for success continues to create jobs and commerce in the local communities. A dynamic entrepreneur, Derrick operates or manages 10 unique brands and 23 different companies. Over 20 years ago he founded what is now one of Indiana’s largest privately owned mortgage banking firms. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of a diverse collection of companies in the education, real estate, property management, finance, insurance, media, and e-commerce. His commitment to succeed has also led to the fulfillment of a better life for his team members. Derrick graduated from Center Grove High School where he met his wife. They now have two children and the family resides in Greenwood, Indiana. His companies are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and members of the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. Derrick was recognized as one of the 40 most prominent business leaders under the age of 40 by the Indianapolis Business Journal. He has also served as a member of the Johnson County Community Foundation and continues to sponsor many local youth activities, scholarships, and charities.

This article originally appeared on pr.com. Story and Photos by Justin Hart.