A Hands-on Impact on World Hunger
Rise Against Hunger’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based initiative that coordinates the assembly-line packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. The program was created to give dedicated individuals and organizations — from businesses to civic clubs — the opportunity to participate in a hands-on international hunger relief program and to become educated, engaged advocates for the world’s hungry. The events also give volunteers hands-on experience in leadership development, team-building, relationship-building, creative problem-solving, and goal-setting and achievement.
Since the inception of the meal packaging program in December 2005, these packaged meals have been used primarily to support school feeding programs in developing countries. Hunger is the common thread among the world’s most challenging issues. Targeting hunger — specifically by supporting school feeding programs — leverages support to other causes including poverty, disease, education, and the welfare of women and children.
How It Works
To get started in organizing a meal packaging event, set a goal for the number of meals you will package, and contact your local Rise Against Hunger program coordinator. Recruit volunteers based on your goal. Then raise money for your event to cover the cost of each meal you package. Ask your program coordinator for fundraising ideas that work and are fun. A group of 40 to 50 volunteers can package 10,800 meals in about two hours. While the minimum is 10,800 meals, meal packaging events are easily scalable and can package up to one million meals.
Rise Against Hunger meal packaging events now can be held anywhere in the world as long as the host organization has enough funding, volunteers, and locally-sourced ingredients to package at least 10,800 meals. Meal minimum may change depending on the distance from a warehouse and other fees and site requirements may apply to events beyond outside Manila events.
For more logistics details, as well as assets to help you promote your event, check out our Preparing for Your Meal Packaging Event page.
Packaging with a group?
Rise Against Hunger teams up with a variety of groups to fight hunger including communities of faith, schools, civic clubs, corporations and more. For more information about your group might work with us, please visit the links below:
Colleges and Universities
Communities of Faith
Corporations
Civic and Service Clubs
Ready to Host Your Own Event?
To find out more about meal packaging and how to organize your own event, fill out this form and your closest warehouse will contact you to start planning!