Help Feed Hungry Neighbors 

Join friends, family, co-workers and club members for a fun day of packing meals for neighbors in need on October 1. Shifts are approximately 2 hours each throughout the day. 

According to the Foodbank of the Heartland, 12% of adults and 18% of children face food insecurity on a daily basis in the Kearney area. The average at home meal cost is approximately $3.50/person, leaving the community with a deficit of over $50,000 per day for food costs alone. Annually, Kearney residents require more than $19 million in food assistance.

United Against Hunger will provide nearly 1800 families in the Kearney area with a “pantry pack” of seven meal kits, six servings each. Each meal only requires water and can be cooked in the microwave or on the stove. Meals are enhanced with vitamins and essential minerals, including protein, for a fully healthy meal. The economic impact of the event is $262,500. 

On October 1, 2026 approximately 500 volunteers will gather at the Kearney SportsPlex to pack meals into bags and then boxes which will be distributed at local food pantries and CommUNITY Fest, held on October 13, 2026 alongside Coats for Kids distribution. Local pantries who received donations last year included Community Action Partnership, Jubilee Center, Gibbon Free Pantry, United Way Little Free Pantries, Efree StoreHouse and the Community Assistance Fair. 

Food Pantry Applications

Food Pantries interested in receiving donations of pantry packs should apply for the donation here: https://wkf.ms/4y4Za9k

Applications are due no later than September 4, 2026.

Meals are shelf-stable for two years, however because of the wide-spread distribution between pantries, meals will be utilized within six months. Each pantry pack will include three bags of macaroni and cheese, two pasta penne and two apple cinnamon oatmeal. 

Volunteer Opportunities

October 1, 2026 | SportsPlex

8-10am Set Up

10-11:30am Session One

12:00-1:30pm Session Two

2pm-3pm Building Pantry Packs

6pm-7pm Pantry Packs

Stay tuned for sponsorship, sign-up, and additional details!