West Allis, Wis. – On Thursday, November 5, three of the area’s largest grocery chains—Pick ’n Save, Metro Market and Mariano’s—began the Million Meal Pack, a community‑wide effort to assemble one million meals for families struggling with hunger.
How the event works
Volunteers will gather at the State Fair Park Exposition Center, where the retailers have set up packing stations. Participants will pull pre‑packaged food items together into balanced meals, then load them onto trucks for delivery.
The organizers have partnered with regional hunger‑relief agencies, including Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. These groups will distribute the meals to families across the Greater Milwaukee area.
Why the initiative matters
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in Wisconsin. Recent data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shows that roughly one in six households in the state experiences difficulty affording enough food. By mobilizing volunteers and leveraging the supply chains of three major grocery chains, the Million Meal Pack seeks to make a measurable dent in that statistic.
“Our Million Meal Pack demonstrates the extraordinary impact we can achieve when our communities come together with a shared purpose: ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious food,” said Michael Marx, President of Pick ’n Save, Metro Market and Mariano’s. “Every volunteer plays an essential role in strengthening the health and well‑being of our communities, and we invite everyone to join us in making a meaningful, lasting difference.”
How to get involved
Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up at www.mealpack.org. The event runs daily throughout the month, with flexible shifts to accommodate work schedules and family commitments.
Local churches, civic groups and schools have already pledged support, offering transportation for volunteers and additional donation drives for non‑perishable items. The collaborative nature of the effort underscores the community’s commitment to caring for one another, a value deeply rooted in the region’s faith‑centered traditions.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the momentum generated by the Million Meal Pack will continue beyond the initial goal of one million meals. By establishing a repeatable model for large‑scale food‑packing events, they aim to create an annual tradition that can respond quickly to future spikes in need, whether caused by economic downturns, natural disasters or other emergencies.
For more information about the event, volunteer opportunities or how to donate, visit the official website or contact the participating grocery stores directly.
Original reporting: FOX6 WITI – local news — read the source article.
