XENIA — First Church of Christ is partnering with International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) to pack and provide meals for people affected by disasters around the world.

Residents can volunteer to help pack the goal of 40,000 emergency meals on Saturday, Nov. 18 at First Church of Christ, 441 Ledbetter Road. Packing will begin at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers can call the church at 937-372-7687 to let them know they plan to volunteer. Currently 250 people are signed up for different shifts and at least 50 more volunteers are needed.

Each bag of food contains six meals. The meals contain soy for protein, dehydrated vegetables for nutrients, rice for filling and an engineered packet of 21 vitamins and minerals. One meal, which is one cup of food, costs 25 cents and is meant for one person per day. According to Pastor Andy Spencer, the meal is supposed to sustain the person for that day and help reverse malnutrition.

Spencer said the meals might go to Puerto Rico or other third- and fourth-world countries that have been affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Others can help by choosing to give financially. First Church of Christ is raising funds to pay for the meals. So far, Spencer said $8,000 has been raised for the project which is equivalent to 32,000 meals. The church has a goal of $10,000 which would pay for 40,000 meals, while $25,000 would make 100,000 meals.

Contributors can make checks payable to IDES and mail or drop off to First Church of Christ, 441 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385, by Wednesday, Oct. 25.