SUBMITTED PHOTO Volunteers gather on Wednesday to package meals intended for the Marshalltown Emergency Food Box and the numerous little food pantries throughout the county. Roughly 140 people worked two shifts to provide apple cinnamon oatmeal and pasta with tomato basil sauce.

The Marshalltown Emergency Food Box and the numerous little food pantries throughout Marshall County received an influx of meals last week.

On Wednesday, more than 100 volunteers gathered at the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center (MACC) to package 34,000 meals for residents who are experiencing food insecurity.

Community Foundation of Marshall County (CFMC) Director Julie Hitchins said the number of people who are struggling with food insecurity is increasing.

“When the pantries got their meals, everyone was so thankful because they can’t keep up with the demand,” she said.

According to Hitchins, citing a recent United Way of Central Iowa report, one in three families in central Iowa are struggling to meet their basic needs.

“That’s higher than I’ve ever seen before,” she said.

The meal packaging event was coordinated by CFMC and The Outreach Program, Inc of Union, and was driven by high school student philanthropy groups Marhalltown’s STEP (Students Teaching and Empowering Philanthropy), East Marshall’s SEAL (Students Empowering and Leading) and West Marshall’s LUCC (Leaders Uplifing Out Community with Charity).

At the beginning of the school year, the students researched local needs and recognized food insecurity was a large one. Working with The Outreach Program, the student groups ordered two meals to package – apple cinnamon oatmeal and pasta with tomato basil sauce. Hitchins said that was after they taste tested the products. She added they are easy to prepare, with people only needing to add water.

The Outreach Program provided ingredients, packaging materials and necessary guidance to create successful meal packaging. CFMC worked with community partners to recruit roughly 140 volunteers to cover two packaging shifts.

The effort was made possible through $14,200 in financial support from local residents, businesses, foundations and service organizations. Hitchins said the last time a meal packaging event was held was two years ago, and the amount of money they had to raise was $12,500.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way our community came together for this event,” Hitchins said. “From the students who led the vision, to the donors who made it possible and the volunteers who gave their time. This was truly a team effort. When we come together like this, we remind ourselves that we are stronger, and truly better, together.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.