VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Regent University’s largest freshman class in the school’s 47-year history was busy Wednesday preparing meal kits in support of Operation Blessing, the locally-based relief organization that has helped millions of people after severe weather events.

It was the largest such effort due to an incoming freshman class that has swelled to more than 500 students.

They were packing about 1,600 boxes, with 36 meals per box and more than 57,000 meals total for victims of natural disasters.

“These are boxes that are going to feed a family of four three meals a day for three days,” said Operation Blessing Chief Operating Officer Drew Friedrich, “so in the immediate aftermath of a storm when they don’t know where their next meal is coming from, these boxes are such a lifeline and source of hope for them.”

With this year forecasted to be a busy year for hurricanes, they expect to need all the meal kits they can prepare.

Some of the different items in the boxes include cereal, rice, granola bars, baked beans and other canned items, among other things. The canned items are all pop-tops, in the event that recipients of the meal kits lose power.

Incoming freshman Daniel Zimmerman said he enjoyed being able to help.

“It’s awesome,” Zimmerman said. “I’m dancing over there. Everyone is having a great time. They’re all enthusiastic about helping out and everything like that. Everyone seems to be having a good time, so yeah, it’s just been awesome.” 

The meal kits will be staged at Operation Blessing warehouses across the United States so they’ll be ready to go when disaster strikes.