It’s Rewarding
Volunteer and know that the gift of your time is feeding hungry children.
It’s Fun
Meal packaging is easy and fun, especially with a group of friends or coworkers.
Volunteer Today
We can’t do this without the tireless support of our volunteers. Join us!
Volunteer to Help the Hungry
Meals from the Heartland’s packaged meals help feed the hungry throughout the world. Meals are delivered directly to locations in Iowa, the U.S. and around the world — wherever people are undernourished or starving. When you volunteer to fight hunger with us, not only are you feeding hungry children, but meal packaging is an enjoyable, rewarding experience. We welcome individuals and teams from businesses, schools, churches, community organizations, clubs and more.
Meal Packaging: Join us at the Patty Cownie Packaging Center in West Des Moines to package meals. Shifts are two hours each, Tuesday through Saturday. First-come, first-served availability. Sign up individually or with others.
Volunteer to help the hungry by scheduling a private or mobile hunger fight.
Each of our awesome volunteers uses over $100 worth of ingredients and materials to pack about 540 meals per shift. Ingredients are not donated to Meals from the Heartland. Your donation helps to purchase those ingredients. Help keep us going! Donate today.
We love our packagers, but are always looking for volunteers for other tasks. Interested?
Do Good, Feel Good by Feeding Hungry Children
When you volunteer to help the hungry with Meals from the Heartland, you’re making a difference in the life of a child. Our packaged meals provide nutrition and hope. These meals can help a child concentrate, succeed in school and pursue a bright future in which the cycle of poverty is broken. Feeding the poor today can make a difference for a lifetime.
Volunteers age 8 and older are welcome here! For student/youth groups, please note the required student-to-adult ratios below for each packaging table.
