Each April, we pause to recognize one of the most powerful forces for good in our communities: Volunteers.
First established in 1974, is more than just a week on the calendar. It’s a celebration of the compassion, generosity, and selflessness that lives in people who step up, not for recognition, but to make a difference.
At Meals of Hope, we know the power of volunteers firsthand. In fact, we exist because of them.
Since our founding in 2007, over 250,000 volunteers have come together at our meal-packing events across the country, and the impact has been staggering. Together, we’ve packed and distributed over 100 million meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity both in the United States and around the world.
These are not just numbers—they represent real people helping real people. Parents bringing their kids to teach them about giving back. Coworkers stepping away from their desks to bond over a shared mission. Community groups, sports teams, churches, and schools all showing up with energy and heart.
What makes these events so special isn’t just the meals packed, it’s the connection. The laughter, the music, the sense of purpose. In just a couple of hours, strangers become teammates, and teammates become change makers.
This week, and every week, we are deeply grateful.
To our volunteers past and present: thank you. Your commitment fuels everything we do. You’re not just helping us fight hunger, you’re proving that when communities come together, hope grows stronger.
Happy National Volunteer Week, and here’s to the next 250,000.
BROOKINGS — The South Dakota FFA Association will host the 97th Annual South Dakota State FFA Convention on April 3-5 at the Dacotah Bank Center and South Dakota State University’s campus.
The convention, with the theme of “Never Settle,” will be led by the state FFA officers include President Maya Howard, Miller; Vice President Raul Berrones Pedraza, Milbank; Secretary Ethan Hendricks, Rapid City; Treasurer Bailey Weegar, Viborg-Hurley; and Reporter Hailey Kizer, Howard. The state FFA Convention is like the “state championship” of FFA, that highlights the successes of South Dakota’s FFA members.
Throughout the three-day convention, over 2,000 FFA members, advisers and guests will:
Participate in a Career Carnival with exhibits from 55 ag industry leaders and colleges
Package 55,000 meals for Meals of Hope, which will be provided to Feeding South Dakota
Attend leadership workshops hosted by First Dakota National Bank, the Agtegra Innovations Center, South Dakota Agriculture & Rural Leadership, South Dakota Beef Industry Council, Field Reveal, USDA Risk Management, Farm Credit Services of America, National FFA officer Jack Lingenfelter, National FFA Alumni, Ag Ed Ambassadors, and Caleb Weiland, former FFA member.
Showcase agricultural skills by competing in hands-on career development events in agricultural business management, agricultural technology and mechanical systems, agronomy, dairy cattle evaluation, floriculture, food science and technology, horse evaluation, livestock evaluation, meats evaluation and technology, milk quality and products, natural resources, nursery/landscape, range plant identification and veterinary science.
Four award sessions — Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and evening, and Saturday morning — will include:
Bestowing the State FFA Degree on 324 members, the highest degree of members in South Dakota FFA
Recognizing outstanding FFA members for their Supervised Agriculture Experience projects in the STARS Pageant (Star Greenhand, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agricultural Placement, and Star Farmer) and proficiency awards
Awarding scholarships to graduating seniors and postsecondary students studying agriculture
Hearing inspiring messages from state FFA officers, National FFA Southern Region Vice President Jack Lingenfelter of Georgia, and keynote speaker Melvin Adams
Commending members for their success in agricultural career development events, as they advance to national competition in Indianapolis this fall
Honoring supporters with the Honorary State FFA Degree and Distinguished Service awards
Thanking past state FFA officers and the FFA Foundation board
Celebrate the South Dakota FFA Family of the Year, the Mary and late Myron Williams family, from Wall.
Recognizing FFA chapters that have demonstrated outstanding involvement in building leaders, growing communities and strengthening agriculture with the National Chapter award
Installing the 2025-26 state FFA officers and ambassadors
Together, we can make a difference. If you’re attending the South Dakota FFA Convention or live nearby, come lend a hand and help Meals of Hope bring hope to the table—one meal at a time.
Can’t make this one? Explore ways to get involved in the fight against food insecurity with Meals of Hope today!
The Rotary Club of Bedford is counting the days to Hope for the Hungry 2025, the club’s annual meal-packing to fight hunger. The event on Saturday, April 26 happens from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Bedford Campus Center of Middlesex Community College.
Led by the Rotary Club of Bedford, the event is co-hosted this year by the Rotary Clubs of Chelmsford and Merrimack Valley. Planning for the meal-packing began months ago.
The top priority was fundraising to purchase the meal-making ingredients. Sponsors and donors to date include Rotary District 7910, Rotary Club of Bedford, Meals of Hope, Brookline Bank, Northern Bank, Ken’s NY Deli & Pizzeria, Enterprise Bank, Ocular Therapeutix, Rotary Club of Billerica, and Laer Realty Partners/Debi Malone. Click here to donate.
The priority now are volunteers who are essential to Hope for the Hungry’s success.
Twelve long tables, stocked for packing, await the dozens of packers needed to assemble thousands of meals over the course of a few hours.
Past volunteers often return to pack again as do the crew members who supply and support the packers. It’s all about teamwork. Club members, neighbors, work colleagues and families form teams, all working towards a common goal while having fun.
Starting in 2013, except for two years during Covid, this is the 11th year of Bedford Rotary’s ongoing effort to combat food insecurity, globally and locally.
The packed meals fed children and families in poor African nations in earlier years. Last year, a partnership began with Meals of Hope that turned the focus to local needs.
Based in Naples, FL with its northeast headquarters in Chelmsford, it supplies all the packing paraphernalia and the ingredients for this year’s chosen Mac ‘n Cheese meals. The bulk of the packed meals are now delivered to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, but some also go to the Bedford Food Pantry.
The April 26 event also provides the opportunity to join Bedford Rotary’s long-standing support of the Middlesex Community College food pantries.
The Campus Center where the meal packing will take place will be open for collection drop-offs of personal care items to benefit the MCC food pantries in Bedford and Lowell. The list of items being collected are in the flyer.
Interested in continuing the fight against food insecurity? Get involved with Meals of Hope by hosting a meal-packing event, volunteering, or making a donation. By participating, you become part of a community that provides food, hope, and the opportunity for a better future.
Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help. They are making a difference for families, particularly single-parent homes with young children.
Samantha Gonzalez, a 14-year-old student, shared her story.
“I lost my father like a few years ago, so at a young age. So this does help my mom since she’s supporting me and my siblings,” said Gonzalez.
Organizations recognize the importance of supporting children beyond just their educational needs.
“It’s important to serve the whole child. And one of the things that we know is that if a child is going home and they are going home to food insecurity or housing challenges, that really makes receiving a good education a difficult thing,” said Kelly Krupp, VP of Philanthropy at the Guadalupe Center.
Gonzalez knows the struggle of food insecurity all too well, as she helped her mom pick up food.
“Yeah, because there’s I can’t help her with anything. So I’m still young, so I can’t,” said Gonzalez.
Families like Luz’s also benefit from these efforts. Luz expressed her concerns for her younger sister.
“I’m just worried a bit because it’s mainly for my sister. They’re still small, so they need this food to grow up. Well, us, we can kind of survive without it,” said Luz, an Immokalee resident.
For Gonzalez and Luz, the food they receive means one less worry and one less empty stomach.
“I love you, and thank you for everything you do and for being somebody I can rely on and look up to,” said Gonzalez.
These efforts provide a momentary reprieve, allowing teenagers like Gonzalez and Luz to focus on being kids.
Get involved with Meals of Hope by hosting a meal-packing event, volunteering, or making a donation. By participating, you become part of a community that provides food, hope, and the opportunity for a better future.
The holidays are a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration. Yet, this season brings additional financial and emotional strain for millions of families across the country. While many prepare feasts and exchange gifts, others struggle to put even the simplest meals on the table. This hidden hunger crisis intensifies during the holidays, revealing a heartbreaking disparity that calls for immediate action.
UNDERSTANDING THE HOLIDAY HUNGER SPIKE
Food insecurity affects millions of Americans year-round, but it often peaks during the holiday season. The reasons are multifaceted:
Increased Financial Pressures: Families face higher utility bills as temperatures drop, holiday expenses for gifts and celebrations, and additional costs for child care during winter breaks. These added burdens stretch already limited budgets, leaving less for essentials like food.
Seasonal Costs for Basic Needs: Heating bills soar in the winter months, forcing families to make difficult choices between staying warm and staying fed.
Limited Access to Assistance: Many schools that provide free or reduced-cost meals to children are closed for winter break, cutting off a vital food source for millions of students.
These financial pressures often push families into impossible situations, forcing them to prioritize immediate needs over long-term stability.
SEASONAL STRUGGLES FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
While hunger impacts people of all demographics, certain groups face heightened risks during the holidays:
Children: When schools close for winter break, children lose access to school meal programs that provide consistent nutrition. For families already struggling, this adds another layer of stress.
Seniors: Many older adults live on fixed incomes, making it difficult to absorb the higher costs associated with the holiday season. Seniors often face the painful decision of choosing between paying for medication, utilities, or food.
Working Families: Families living paycheck to paycheck face the greatest pressure during the holidays, with limited resources stretched even thinner by seasonal expenses.
These vulnerable populations feel the brunt of food insecurity during the holidays, underscoring the urgent need for targeted relief efforts.
INCREASED DEMAND ON FOOD RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS
The holiday season places immense strain on hunger relief organizations. Food banks, pantries, and nonprofits like Meals of Hope see demand skyrocket as families seek assistance. Meeting this surge comes with unique challenges:
Supply Chain Strain: The increased demand for food means organizations must work harder to secure enough supplies to meet the needs of their communities.
Volunteer Shortages: While the holidays inspire many to give back, the sheer volume of need often outpaces available volunteer resources.
Financial Pressures: Higher demand requires greater financial support to purchase food, transport goods, and coordinate distribution efforts.
Despite these challenges, hunger relief organizations remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring no one goes hungry during the holidays.
HOW MEALS OF HOPE IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Meals of Hope is dedicated to addressing the hidden hunger crisis, especially during the holiday season. Through innovative programs and community partnerships, Meals of Hope tackles food insecurity head-on, providing hope and nourishment to families in need.
Meal Packing Events: Meals of Hope hosts meal packing events that bring communities together to create immediate and tangible impact. These events are family-friendly and offer a hands-on way for individuals and groups to contribute to the fight against hunger. The meals packed are designed to provide essential nutrients and comfort, making them ideal for families, children, and seniors.
Partnerships with Local Organizations: Collaboration is at the heart of Meals of Hope’s approach. By partnering with schools, faith-based organizations, and businesses, Meals of Hope ensures that meals reach those who need them most, whether locally or in areas impacted by disaster or economic hardship.
Targeted Holiday Efforts: During the holiday season, Meals of Hope ramps up its efforts to meet the increased demand. Programs like the Holidays Without Hunger campaign focus on mobilizing communities to pack and distribute meals to families who might otherwise go without.
Innovative Distribution Models: Meals of Hope adapts to the unique needs of each community, whether by supplying meals directly to food banks or hosting mobile pantry events that bring resources to underserved areas.
These initiatives demonstrate the power of collective action and show how one organization can spark a ripple effect of hope and change.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF GIVING BACK
Volunteering during the holidays is about more than giving time—it’s about creating a legacy of compassion and connection. Here’s how getting involved can make a difference:
Strengthening Community Bonds: Meal packing events bring people together, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Providing Immediate Relief: Each meal packed offers nourishment and hope to families struggling to make ends meet.
Inspiring Long-Term Impact: Acts of service encourage others to give back, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the holidays.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
The hidden hunger crisis during the holidays is daunting, but you can be part of the solution. Here’s how:
Host a Meal Packing Event: Bring your community, workplace, or family together to pack meals for those in need.
Volunteer Your Time: Join an existing meal packing event or support local food distribution efforts.
Make a Donation: Financial contributions help purchase ingredients and cover the costs of getting meals to families.
Meals of Hope offers a variety of ways to get involved, making it easy for everyone to contribute, no matter their schedule or resources.
A CALL TO ACTION
Hunger doesn’t take a holiday—but together, we can ensure that families in need experience the joy and connection that define this season. Meals of Hope is committed to turning compassion into action, and we invite you to join us in this mission.
Alison Crabtree, left and Ireland McGann, fifth graders at Calvary Christian Academy, measure macaroni to be packaged into meals Wednesday for the sixth annual Calvary Cares project, which helps tackle food insecurity in the region. Students, staff and volunteers worked from stations set up in assembly-line fashion — bagging, measuring, adding soy and noodles, weighing, sealing and packing — to prepare 20,000 meals as part of the project, a partnership with Florida-based Meals of Hope. The meals were delivered to organizations throughout the area.
Learn More about Meals of Hope
Ready to make a difference in your community? To learn more about Meals of Hope, read more here. To get you or your organization involved in our next meal packing event, fill out our form here. We can’t wait to hear from you!
