Nearly 400 volunteers will soon don hairnets and wield measuring scoops to package 100,000 ready-to-cook meals in less time than it takes to watch a movie.

United Way’s second annual United Against Hunger, in partnership with presenting sponsor Kellogg’s, aims to package 100,000 meal kits to combat hunger in our regional community. The event, set for October 16 at Full Blast in Battle Creek, coincides with World Food Day.

In our regional community, 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 5 children struggles with food insecurity. This means that they don’t have consistent access to safe and nutritional food. In 2017, the regional 2-1-1 call center received 4,758 calls for local food pantries.

“United Against Hunger was started in response to this ever-present need,” said Robert Elchert, Community Impact Associate for United Way BCKR. “It’s a way to directly assist families and individuals who may be in crisis and struggling with hunger. We also hope to raise awareness of local food insecurity and United Way’s goal to ensure a safety net of basic services for people in crisis.”

During last year’s event, hundreds of volunteers at two locations packaged 50,000 meals, which were distributed throughout Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.

“We had an amazing turnout last year, with support from volunteers and sponsors,” Elchert said. “It made sense to increase that impact in a big way.”

The 100,000 kits, which include six servings of a nutritious rice and beans dish, recipes and other resources, will again be distributed to people in need through the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and in turn through community agencies including Salvation Army pantries, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, and many others.

After an overwhelming response from the community, volunteer spots are completely full, but you can still help by donating funds to purchase meals at $0.25 apiece. Click below to let us know how many meals you’d like to donate.

[su_button url=”https://app.mobilecause.com/form/iqoqYA” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#FF443B” size=”6″ radius=”0″ class=”blue-bg score-btn”]Donate Meals[/su_button]

---

Thank you to our sponsors for your commitment of both funds and volunteers: Presenting Sponsor Kellogg’s, Eaton, Kellogg Community College, Stryker, Advia, Bronson and OnStaff.

Check out photos from last year’s United Against Hunger events in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.

For more information on United Way’s impact in Basic Needs, Education, Income, and Health, download our 2018 Impact Report.