FAMILIES FORGO BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING

Volunteers to pack 30,000 meals for local food bank

November 21, 2014 – Indianapolis, IN

While local retailers are preparing for long lines at the checkout counters, one local non-profit is preparing a different type of line – a meal packing line. This Thanksgiving, Pack Away Hunger will host its 2^nd annual Pack Friday event, giving families an alternative to traditional Black Friday shopping.

“Thanksgiving is a day when food is on all of our minds, but not on all of our plates. This event is a way for us to draw attention to a very real hunger problem right here in Central Indiana,” commented Executive Director Larry Moore. “In Marion County alone, more than 174,000 people don’t have regular access to healthy meals.”

Pack Away Hunger hopes to impact that number at Pack Friday. They are seeking volunteers to help pack meals that will be distributed to Midwest Food Bank. At the family-friendly event, volunteers will create a highly nutritious meal, fortified with a special blend of rice, vitamins, minerals, vegetables and soy. The meal has a long shelf life, making it the ideal product for food banks and pantries.

“We are blessed to have Pack Away Hunger as a partner in our fight against hunger,” shared Midwest Food Bank Director John Whitaker. “It’s wonderful to be the recipients of the meals packed at this event.”

Volunteers can choose to join one of three packing shifts, one Thanksgiving evening and two on Friday. Pre-registration is encouraged at www.PackAwayHunger.org. While the event is free and open to the public, a donation of $25 per volunteer is suggested. The popularity of last year’s event required the organization to add an additional packing shift at the last minute.

“I came to Pack Friday last year, and it was such a fun time. It felt good to know I was spending the holiday helping others,” shared Marilyn Ross from Indianapolis. “I’ve already signed up for the Thanksgiving evening shift this year.” Registrants have begun sharing their excitement and encouraging followers to join them at #packfriday.

Event Details

Organization: Pack Away Hunger

Website: PackAwayHunger.org

Event Name: Pack Friday

Date and Time:

Thursday, November 27, 2014 10:00pm – 11:30pm

Friday, November 28, 2014 10:00am – 11:30am and 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Location:

5230 Park Emerson Drive, Suite A

Indianapolis, IN 46203

317-429-9876

Cost: Free, however a donation of $25/volunteer is encouraged

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Pack Away Hunger is an Indianapolis-based non-profit organization dedicated to greatly improving the lives of children and others who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Through partnerships with like-minded community organizations, they pack and distribute highly nutritious meals to local food banks and at-risk communities in developing nations.