Response Updates

The Pack Shack

Reported by Convoy of Hope

We’re partnering with The Pack Shack, a nonprofit in Rogers, Arkansas, to distribute up to 1 million meals to hungry families in the U.S. and abroad this year.

The Pack Shack is dedicated to assembling volunteers to pack meals who become aware of, and engaged with, hunger issues locally and abroad. “What we really want people to do is find an organization that they can get passionate about, roll up their sleeves and get involved on an ongoing basis,” says Bret Raymond, Executive Director of The Pack Shack.

Our partnership will launch March 7-8, 2014, in Rogers at an event called “NWA vs HUNGER!,” where volunteers will pack up to 500,000 meals. Between 150,000 and 250,000 of those meals are being donated to Convoy of Hope. Organizations sending local teams to pack meals include Tyson Foods, Walmart, General Mills, Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, and others. In addition to packing meals, participants are being asked to bring certain food, kitchen, and gardening items that will meet needs in Northwest Arkansas.

The hunger fight couldn’t come at a more important time, Arkansas recently ranked 47th in overall food security in the country, with 19.7% of people being food insecure.

“These are our neighbors, let’s do what our great-grandparents did and take care of each other,” says Raymond.

“We’re honored to be partnering with an organization close to our World Distribution Center in Springfield, Missouri,” says Hal Donaldson, President of Convoy of Hope. “We’ll be able to easily move these meals to communities in need.”

Social

Tornado response update from #Indiana and #Ohio: Distributions are underway in Winchester and Bellefontaine today. 🚚 As of this morning, thousands of people are still without power. Convoy’s teams are on the ground, distributing relief supplies, such as water, sports drinks,…