Thousands of volunteers needed to pack one-million meals

Posted on August 15, 2024

*^{This is State Farm’s first time hosting the meal pack in Bloomington-Normal. Meal packs were previously held at the Atlanta location. (WJBC File Photo)}*

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – State Farm is teaming up with Illinois State University and US Hunger to pack one million meals.

But they need your help. State Farm is looking for 5,000 volunteers to help pack meals. The insurance company is accepting volunteers as young as five-years old.

This is State Farm’s first time hosting the meal pack in Bloomington-Normal. Meal packs were previously held at the Atlanta location.

The meal is jambalaya and will be distributed throughout the state.

“The meaning of all of this is to help food insecurity,” said Melissa Shrader, Manager in Corporate Responsibility at State Farm. “So, we know food insecurity could mean students, college students. It could mean families making the decision, do I pay my rent or do I feed my family? And also, just to say that the benefit of all this is going to stay right here in the state of Illinois.”

The meal pack is Sept. 7 at CEFCU Arena on ISU’s campus. You can sign-up to volunteer all day from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. or for a 90 minute shift. Click here for volunteer registration.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected]

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