Sometimes it can be hard to imagine the end-result of a larger plan or effort. For example, once Harvest Pack’s meals are packed by volunteers and distributed to local food shelves, what does the impact look like? Last month, the Harvest Pack team got a behind the scenes look with one of their most trusted food distribution partners, Every Meal.
Founded in 2010, Every Meal is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger by providing meals to kids and families who are food insecure. Every Meal got its start by feeding just a handful of kids at a single school in Minnesota. By 2015, they expanded to five schools, and today Every Meal now partners with over 400 underserved schools to provide meals to over 13,000 students weekly through their backpack program.
Every Meal also has a strong focus on being culturally relevant by providing five different types of meals to schools representing different cultures in the Twin Cities. Meals are catered to East African, Latino, Southeast Asian cultures and more. Harvest Pack’s cinnamon-fortified oatmeal is a part of a couple of these meals, helping to feed thousands of children with healthy breakfast meals on a weekly basis.
While Harvest Pack’s oatmeal helps Every Meal extend its reach, there is unfortunately a growing and continuous need for a healthy breakfast. In fact, over 200 schools in both rural and urban areas are on the waitlist for Every Meal’s backpack program. Although Every Meal is a Twin Cities based organization, Harvest Pack continues to hear of the need beyond Minnesota from food banks across the country.
Will you consider helping Harvest Pack feed more kids this fall by hosting a Harvest Pack event? Every act of support and collaboration brings us one step closer to ensuring more families and children have the food they need to thrive. Meals will go to support children through organizations such as Every Meal or dozens of food banks Harvest Pack supports around the country. Thank you for your consideration as we aim to package 5,000,000 meals by the end of 2026. Your support can make a tangible difference!