Whiz Kid: Priory Student Leading Fight Against World Hunger

October 14 is World Food Day. It will be a day for the world to pause and reflect on the challenges facing the world food supply and feeding the hungry.

In , the day will take on added meaning because of the research done at the And on that day, the center plans on taking action to fight world hunger, by inviting community members to come in and pack meals which will help feed the hungry half a world away.

An event of this magnitude doesn't happen by accident. Danforth Center staff are aided by a group of student volunteers from schools around the St. Louis area. Students help plan the actual day and everything that goes into it, raise funds, and build awareness among their peers.

Senior Ted Tooley is one of the "Junior Board" members making things happen. He's organized fundraising events, represented World Food Day at community events--later this month he'll be part of the group at Busch Stadium for Bioscience Day at the Ballpark prior to a Cardinals game. This year he's in charge of entertaining the people who will come to the Danforth Center to package meals in October.

In all, it's an 80 hour requirement for each Junior Board member.

"They're behind the scenes doing the work and they're enjoying it and they're passionate about it," Danforth Center spokeswoman Melanie Bernds said. "It's unbelievable to see students doing this kind of work, especially over the summer. They could be laying by the pool going to the movies, but they're coming in here everyday putting hours in toward world food day. They don't see it as work, they see it as the bigger solution so it's amazing."

Tooley is active at Priory as well, where he's been involved in Student Government, Track, Cross Country and Theater. He's thinking about double majoring in Music Performance and English in college and puts Notre Dame at the top of his wish list.

While the community may only see the majority of his efforts out in the open a few months from now, Tooley feels a different sense of satisfaction.

"I can see, feel the work we accomplish and get done, and the difference that we make."