Meal Packing for Ukraine
Friday, March 3 | Lahaye Multipurpose Center
Over 8 million Ukrainians have left Ukraine as refugees, and they need food assistance. Come volunteer and pack meals for the people of Ukraine! You will have an opportunity to participate in this meal-packing experience with other LU students that will provide food to Ukrainians through Greater Europe Mission. No experience is required. Pre-register for this incredible experience that will change your life and the lives of others!
Sign-up for a 2-Hour Packing Experience! Slots are available between 1:30 pm – 8:30 pm
For more information, please contact serveevents@liberty.edu
FAQs
What is the Meal Packing Event at Liberty University?
Liberty University’s LU Serve of Office of Spiritual Development is partnering with Greater Europe Mission and World Help to pack meals that will be distributed and served to the Ukrainian people. We are hosting this Meal Packing Event with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) to give passionate students a tangible opportunity to get involved. On Friday, March 3rd, approximately 1,500 Liberty University students will gather to pack over 270,000 MannaPack meals for children and families in need.
Why should I sign-up to help at the Meal Packing Event?
Over 8 million Ukrainian refugees are currently in need of food assistance. Hunger and malnutrition pose a serious threat to their health. According to the United Nations, over 25,000 people die every single day from malnutrition and related preventable diseases; 15,000 of those deaths are children under the age of 5. FMSC is dedicated to preventing these deaths by distributing meals to children starving across the globe – over 1.5 billion meals have already been distributed! With our help at the Meal Packing Event, we can provide some assistance to the people of Ukraine.
What is a MannaPack?
The MannaPack meal is primarily composed of rice, soy, and vegetables, but these foods are complemented by vitamins and dietary supplements carefully formulated by nutritional scientists with the intent to reverse and prevent malnutrition. All of the meals are vegetarian and halal certified in order to be considered acceptable by cultures and religions around the world. Each MannaPack can provide as many as 12 meals for a starving person.
When should I arrive and what should I expect?
For our Meal Packing Event, volunteers should plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early. Since all volunteers undergo a brief orientation before assembling meals, you should be prepared to receive further instructions during this time. Following orientation, volunteers will break into teams and have roles assigned. Each team will work together at an assembly-line station to pack as many MannaPacks as possible during their shift!
What will I be doing at the Meal Packing Event?
The packing process is divided into four simple tasks: scooper, bagger, boxer, and sealer. Scoopers measure out quantities of various foods before passing them to the bagger. Baggers package and weigh the ingredients. Sealers use a machine to seal the prepared bags. Boxers then load the prepared bags into larger boxes. These packing teams are typically composed of 13-17 volunteers. During the orientation at the start of each shift, volunteers will be assigned to one of these tasks and given clearer instructions specific to their role. After the packing shift ends, all volunteers will be given an opportunity to pray over the boxes before they are shipped around the world.
Where will the meals be sent?
FMSC has distribution partners in more than seventy countries across the globe! While FMSC does not always promise a final location for the meals an organization packs, meals assembled at Liberty University’s Meal Packing Event will be shipped by World Help to Romania, to serve Ukrainian refugees by partners of Greater Europe Mission.
What should I wear to the Meal Packing Event?
Attire is left to the discretion of volunteers, however, it is strongly recommended that you wear close-toed shoes to pack meals. It is also important to note that FDA regulations prohibit volunteers from wearing any jewelry while packing (wedding bands and medical identification are allowed), including all earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Since items should not be stored in pockets during the event, volunteers should leave any jewelry at home.
Can I still volunteer if I have been sick?
Due to sanitation concerns, any volunteers that have had aggressive coughs, fevers, pink eye, stomach viruses, or any other contagious illness within the last 24 hours should not attend the event. While your willingness to serve is greatly appreciated, the health and well-being of the people receiving the MannaPack meals remain a top priority.
Can I bring my own food or drinks?
Due to safety and contamination concerns, no outside food or drinks will be allowed in the packing room or area. Gum should also be disposed of properly.