Volunteers pack 32,000-plus meals at annual packing event

A pandemic and related social restrictions don’t put hunger on hold for people in need.

The Hampton and general Franklin County communities last week donned masks and socially distanced to pack more than 30,000 meals as part of the annual Meals from the Heartland meal packing event in Hampton.

Last Wednesday, more than 250 volunteers rotated in and out of the Hampton-Dumont High School gymnasium, working in teams of 5, to pack 32,100 meals over the course of five hours.

Chris Sauke, Church of the Living Word administrator, said that the output exceeded the 30,000 meal goal initially established. He said the goal was keep lower than normal years because of the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but as is usually the case, the community responded.

“The people that are here in Hampton want to do something they see as essential in helping people who don’t have access to the nutrition or food they need,” he said.

One group in particular, Sauke added, stood out in its dedication to the event to ensure as many people as possible were fed.

“Some of the students that packed in the first shift thought it was fun so some stuck around to help the new packers get trained in what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “We still had some room available for them to pack and they (students) stuck around. They just wanted to stick around and keep helping.”

In order to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols, packers had to wear masks along with the standard hairnets and gloves. Teams were reduced from 10 members to five. Sauke said the gymnasium had plenty of room to adhere to the standards and the result was still a heartfelt evening of fellowship.

“It was something that felt normal,” he said. “You were there, working side by side with your friends, the music was going. It was nice to be able to do something in a safe environment and it raised the spirits of everyone there.”

The meals will be distributed to local, statewide, national and international communities with people in need of food. Sauke said the scope of Meals from the Heartland’s efforts show the packers that no one is safe from hunger, especially in a year ravaged by the pandemic. The new difficulties this year has posed, he said, are why the community’s efforts last Thursday were impactful.

“Even though we are being asked to isolate and social distance, the need for help doesn’t go away and the need is often greater because of this,” he said. “There are still ways to get out, help other people and make an impact even in this pandemic.”