MEMPHIS, Tenn. – September 11, 2001, became one of the darkest days in U.S. history. Almost 3,000 people lost their lives when a pair of planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania.
25 years later, there are many tributes to honor the lives lost.
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack, national non-profit “9/11 Day” took over the lobby of the FedEx Forum for their Day of Service.
Grant Ricossa, LEO Events Director of Events, told FOX13 the organization planned events in cities across the country.
“Memphis is gracious enough to be one of those cities this year,” said Ricossa. “On the 25th anniversary, we’re doing 50 cities across the U.S. and we’re just happy to be a part of it.”
Dozens of volunteers packed meal boxes that will be given to the Mid-South Food Bank. Around 175,000 meals are expected to be packed.
Nicole Willis, Communication and Volunteer Services Manager for the Food Bank, told FOX13 these meals are vital to the organization.
“There’s SNAP benefits that are being cut. The cost of food is rising,” said Willis. “This will really help supplement our neighbors’ meals and supplement how we’re able to distribute their food back out to the community.”
9/11 Day was founded by two friends in 2002 after one lost their brother in the terror attack. The founders wanted to change the meaning behind the somber day. Instead of it being a solemn day, the founders wanted to turn it into a day of giving back.
“It’s been going on for years now and on the 25th anniversary, just kind of wanted to make it bigger and better and just have everybody involved,” said Ricossa.
Around 18 million meals are being packed for families across the country, marking this day as the largest single meal packing day in American history.
Willis told FOX13 what is particularly important is the fact the food is non-perishable.
“Those are so easy to be shelf sustainable. That’s one way that we’re able to keep people fed,” said Willis.
You can learn more about the organization on their website.
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