Volunteers: Must Read!

Volunteer to package with Kids Against Hunger of Central Minnesota (KAH-CM)!
Our packaging sessions are a unique way to get involved in the fight against world hunger right here in Central Minnesota. Each session offers a wide range of information about poverty and hunger, an opportunity to package food to feed hundreds of thousands all over the world, the possibility of tasting the food we package, and not to mention a great sense of accomplishment upon completion! Many of our new volunteers become regulars after just one session.

To schedule an event
For each month KAH-CM will designate (2) two-hour packaging sessions for 50-60 volunteers two months out. (eg: our May schedule will be posted at the end of February). Please see our Packaging Schedule to view our most current dates and check for availability.

We are able to modify our sessions to accommodate special requests (eg. school field trips, church groups, special projects, etc.) for a packaging session. However, in order to get the full experience we ask that the time commitment be at least one and a half hours. This is for the benefit of every volunteer participating as well as our staff, which we ask to adjust their schedules to meet special requests. Generally these requests are made 'Private' and require a reservation one month in advance.

If you would like to reserve volunteer spots on our current schedule or to schedule a private session, please email kidsagainsthunger@yahoo.com. Please include in your email the organization you are representing (if any), the date and time you would like to volunteer along with the number of volunteer spots requested, and a contact name, phone number and email address. An email with complete information will have priority over an incomplete inquiry and will help us make your reservation faster.

If you have requested a date that is 'Full' we do have a 48-hour cancellation policy (see below) for all confirmed reservations and have a waiting list and would be happy to put you on it if you prefer. Occasionally we have groups cancel for a number of reasons, so depending on your group and situation, it could be a good alternative option.

Once we have confirmed your reservation, please check the contact email you provided at least one week in advance of your packaging date for a final confirmation. Should you make any changes to this reservation, please let us know at least 48 hours in advance.
 
The Cost to package food
The cost to package food is $10.00 per child and $20.00 per adult for a 2 hour packaging session.  Scholarships are available.  Please check with our Executive Director for details.

Inside look into our packaging sessions
In a two-hour packaging session, each participating volunteer will work with other dedicated community members in our warehouse to help package our specialized formula. The food packaged at each event will then be boxed and later shipped for distribution by trusted organizations located in or near impoverished areas around the world. In addition to our international shipments we also distribute about 10-15 percent of our food to local food shelves.

Each two-hour session begins with an introduction to our organization followed by an instruction to package our food. Volunteers will then begin packaging for a short while before settling down to watch a video about Kids Against Hunger and poverty. After grasping the larger picture of what it is we do, the volunteers are asked to continue packaging and encouraged to discuss ways to fight hunger and poverty right here, right now in our own community. Finally volunteers will be asked to share their ideas with the rest of the group in a discussion-based atmosphere. Before leaving, the total amount of meals packaged in the session will be revealed, and what a surprise this can be.

Packaging Registration
Click on the link below to view our latest packaging schedule. Oftentimes the schedule fills up faster than we can update the website, so please email or call us to check availability BEFORE making prior arrangements to attend (please refer above to view the information required in order to process your reservation as well as information about our waiting list).

As the dates fill up we will indicate how many volunteer spots are left until the session is 'Full.' This indicates that the packaging session has reached its capacity of 50-60 volunteers. However, on occasion we are able to accommodate groups of 5 or less on these dates depending on the session's group size and number of group facilitators we have reserved. If interested in this option, please email kidsagainsthunger@yahoo.com to check if this opportunity is available. We also have a waiting list for those who would like to be considered if there are any cancellations. 

If there is 'Private' listed next to the date and time this indicates that the group made prior arrangements to schedule their own packaging session and is closed to additional volunteers outside of their group. To find out how to schedule such an event, please refer above.

Click HERE to see the Packaging Schedule