Spring Break in Iowa Means Feeding 750,000 People

 A news release from West Des Moines-based Meals from the Heartland:

For the first time since its inception in 2008, Meals from the Heartland will be holding a Spring Break Hunger Fight with the goal of packaging 750,000 meals for food-insecure families in Iowa and around the world.

Break Hunger 2013 packaging will take place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Tuesday-Thursday, March 19-21.

“Many students and families are packing their bags in anticipation of creating great memories out-of-town,” said Dave Bradley, Meals from the Heartland executive director. “But many more people are staying home, and this is a great opportunity to make equally memorable moments with friends and family and do something to help change the world.”

Meals from the Heartland volunteers can register online for two-hour shifts between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. all three days of the Break Hunger event at the Elwell Family Food Center on the State Fairgrounds. Additionally, the organization needs host and pod workers, people of all abilities who help keep supplies stocked, boxes moving and crowds flowing. Those shifts are five hours long.

“There is truly something for anyone at our packaging events,” Bradley added. “Whether they are young students or retired adults, we bring people of all ages, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds together to fight hunger. We’ve even had people package food with us who have shared their stories of receiving our food when they most needed it and now want to give back.”

Last year, volunteers packaged more than 7 million meals through Mobile Hunger Fights throughout the year and the Annual Hunger Fight at Hy-Vee Hall in September. Meals are distributed locally through Iowa food pantry partners, and have been shipped through distribution partners to Haiti, Africa, South Africa, Tanzania, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Philippines and Ethiopia as well as to food banks the United States.

Bradley said every year the organization is looking for new ways to get people engaged.

“Spring Break seemed like the perfect opportunity,” he said. “Kids are out of school, and many parents are off work to spend time with them. What better way to teach about helping others while having fun at the same time?”

Meals from the Heartland meals are made of U.S.-grown rice, soy protein from Midwest soybeans, dried vegetables and vitamins. Each package assembled at the event feeds a family of 6 and costs $1.20 to produce.

Volunteers can register for packaging shifts by visiting the Meals from the Heartland website www.mealsfromtheheartland.org. Pre-registration for volunteering is encouraged as walk-ins are not always guaranteed a spot.

Financial contributions to Meals from the Heartland are critical for purchase and transport of the food being packaged. Contributions may be made online or at the event, and are tax-deductible. A donation of just 20 cents provides the materials for one meal.

Meals from the Heartland is a 501c3 organization. Online registration, donations and information on Meals from the Heartland can be found at www.MealsfromtheHeartland.org.