Picture 40,000 square feet—half of Bielenberg Sports Center’s (BSC) field house—with 200 tables and 1,100 chairs, set up in 60 packing stations to assemble 4 million meals for the hungry. That vision will become a reality in three months as Woodbury hosts a mega mobile pack October 8–11.
The Woodbury mobile pack will be the largest Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) mobile pack under one roof to date in the United States. A Christian nonprofit hunger relief organization, FMSC ships hand-packed meals specifically formulated for malnourished children to nearly 70 countries around the world. Typically, FMSC welcomes volunteers to pack meals at one of their warehouse locations. The organization also will “go mobile” and bring ingredients, supplies and staff to a community site for a mobile pack event.
Donations with a Local Impact
The goal of the Woodbury mobile pack is two-fold: First, to raise $880,000 for the 4 million meals, and secondly, to provide the thousands of volunteers needed over the four-day event to pack the meals. The impact will be felt in Woodbury as well, as 10 percent of the money raised will be donated to the local Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf.
“The city of Woodbury has donated use of BSC, and many area churches have made the commitment to get involved with the event,” says Nikki Robbins, who co-chairs the mobile pack with Lisa Engh. “We are approaching local businesses for sponsorships at various levels to provide monetary support for purchasing the meals; sponsors will receive priority reservations for volunteers to pack the meals as well as recognition at the event and on the event website.”
Volunteers to Pack Meals
The four-day mobile pack event will require 20,000 volunteers, each taking a two-hour shift. There will be a broad range of tasks suitable for all ages and abilities. Kowalski’s Markets will provide food and water for the volunteers.
“This event is a perfect service project outlet for church groups, sports teams, book clubs, neighborhood groups, school classes, bridge clubs and more,” Engh says. “Volunteering is always more fun if you participate with others.”
Since last November, a community steering committee has been meeting regularly and working on the many details for the Woodbury mobile pack. The group has also been working with Dave Gunnlaugsson, development advisor-mobilepack for Feed My Starving Children, to make this a successful, fun-filled, community inspired weekend. “It has been incredibly exciting and humbling to watch the entire Woodbury community rally around this important event,” Gunnlaugsson says. “We are honored to partner with them.”
How You Can Help
* Corporate and individual sponsorships are available at various levels, from $250 to $75,000. For more information, contact co-chairs Lisa Engh and Nikki Robbins at info@woodburyfeeds.org.
* Thousands of volunteers will be needed during the four days for assembling the meals, as well as setting up/tearing down. Volunteer registration will begin in late August at the website here.
