Giving thanks by giving back: Volunteers unite to help relieve food insecurity

Global hunger is growing for the first time in years. Hunger affects 828 million people worldwide – around the world and right in our communities. Conflicts, climate change, and economic pressures are only exacerbating food insecurity worldwide. 

Luckily, with the support of people like you, our Charity Alliance partners are making an impact for those affected by hunger. Our partner Food For The Poor has fed millions of people and has provided more than $15.7 billion dollars in aid. The organization provides food, housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief, micro-enterprise solutions, and much more to those in need.  

Ahead of World Hunger Day (which is May 28), you can make an impact for those in need around the world – not only through a monetary donation, but by donating your time through volunteer efforts. By donating to and volunteering with Food For The Poor, you can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by food insecurity. Read on to learn more about the profound impact you can make as a volunteer with Food For The Poor. Then, sign up to make a difference today. 

The following article was originally written by Food For The Poor and published on their website. It is edited and reposted with permission from the organization. To view the article directly, click here.

Giving Thanks by Giving Back: Volunteers Unite to Help Relieve Food Insecurity 

Food insecurity is on the rise around the world. 

Conflict, inflation and climate extremes have combined for an unprecedented food crisis. The cost to deliver food assistance is at an all-time high and a rise in life-threatening hunger has followed. 

Every day, more and more children and families living in impoverished conditions are being driven to the brink of starvation and in some regions, famine. 

According to the latest data from the World Food Programme, 828 million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from.   

With the support of a growing team of volunteers, Food For The Poor illustrates the power of one – one caring heart.  These big-hearted people unite to form a group of compassionate volunteers joined in a mission to save lives. 

Volunteer Opportunities to End Hunger
Join The Pack events are unique experiences where volunteers work together in teams to assemble rice meals that are shipped to children and families in desperate need.  

It’s a true team effort that enlists the help of the local community, volunteers and trusted partners. 

What’s in a pack?
Each member of the team has a specific job. Together, volunteers mix rice, soy, dried vegetables, and vitamins and minerals into bags that they seal, box, and place on pallets. 

“The large volume of meals that are created at these events truly makes a difference in fighting food insecurity,” said Food For The Poor’s Volunteer Program Coordinator Pennie Stagnitta.

Last summer’s Join The Pack Ukraine effort drew 450 volunteers who packed 116,000 nutritious lifesaving meals for children and families in desperate need in war-torn Ukraine. 

Hearts United Food Kit Packing Events
The Hearts United program of Food For The Poor organizes a series of community events that bring churches, schools, families and individuals together to pack food kits that help fight food insecurity. 

The kits include vegetables, fruits, proteins, rice, pasta, and other essentials selected to provide daily nutritional needs.

“These community events enlighten the community for the need to help those in extreme poverty to fight food insecurity,” Stagnitta said.

In addition to the volunteers who join together for these events, about 25 volunteers come to the Food For The Poor headquarters each week to sort through donated canned goods.

Volunteers check expiration dates and ensure the quality of the shipments of donations to the countries where we provide help.    

Prayer is a fundamental part of Food For The Poor’s ministry, which is inspired by the Gospel and motivated by faith.

Prayer plays an important role in the Food For The Poor volunteer program, which depends on volunteers who are dedicated to serving others and sharing the gift of their time to help those in need.

“The FFTP volunteer program is unique because we ‘unite in God’s work’ to make a difference,” Stagnitta said. “God is truly working through them as his instruments to help the poor and to renew spirits.” 

At the end of each weekly volunteer shift and at the end of every large community event, volunteers take the time to pray over the boxes they have packed that day.

“We pray the Lord’s blessing that these items arrive safely and into the hands who need them,” Stagnitta said. “We also thank the Lord for providing us the means to create the food kits. We also give thanks to the volunteers for sharing the gift of their time and dedication to serve those in need.”

Harnessing the power of compassionate hearts to relieve food insecurity
By harnessing the power of community, Food For The Poor is able to provide lifesaving food for hungry children and families throughout the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.

Through its Volunteer Program, Food For The Poor offers a variety of opportunities that bring together churches, schools, businesses and individuals ready to make a difference.

These hands-on volunteer opportunities help the charity provide immediate relief for those struggling to put food on the table.

“Volunteers come together – united in God’s work – to make a difference in the lives of others who are in desperate need,” said Food For The Poor’s Volunteer Program Coordinator, Pennie Stagnitta.