UNION – While the war in Ukraine rages on, The Outreach Program in Union is stepping up and doing something to help – they are sending meals to the Ukrainians.
One million of these meals have already been flown into Germany and have been distributed in Kiev, said The Outreach Program’s Vice President of Sales Sarah Bradley. In total, 3.3 million will be sent by Mother’s Day.
The Outreach Program at 301 Center St. packages meals through volunteer and packaging organizations, and the meals have basic ingredients like rice, soy, dried vegetables, vitamins, flavoring and pasta, and one package can serve a family of six.
Meals including oatmeal and tomato basil pasta are being sent to the people of Ukraine.
“Iowa is the breadbasket of the world and is sending food to Ukraine,” said Outreach co-founder Floyd Hammer. “A lot of people want to help and don’t know how, or who to trust.”
Hammer and his wife Kathy Hamilton have sent 675 million meals across the globe since the inception of The Outreach Program in 2004, when meals were mostly sent to Tanzania. Their mission is to provide safe water, food, medical care and education to children and those in need. Currently, Hammer and Hamilton are focusing that current need on the people of Ukraine.
Several packaging partners throughout the United States are helping distribute meals including:
· The Outreach Program Regional Manager Matthew Martin, located in the New England area, is planning to send one million meals to Ukraine via Germany, and also via New Jersey through the Ukrainian Foundation Cultural Center.
· No Child Hungry/Orlando William Lowry along with CityServe International, packaged and shipped one million meals to the east side of Kiev three weeks ago. CityServe’s Vice President of Government Relations, Todd Lamphere, delivered the meals himself to Kiev. CityServe handled the distribution of the million meals into Kiev.
· The Outreach Program Community Associate, Community Partners for Hope/Grains of Hope Doug Cook is sending 191,000 meals to Ukraine via Germany from New Jersey through the Ukrainian Foundation Cultural Center.
· The Outreach Program Regional Manager Bobby Polito will send 160,000 meals for Ukraine relief efforts with such organizations like; NorthBridge Community Church in Cranberry, Penn., McLean Presbyterian Church, Calvary UMC; schools like; the Potomac school and Fresta Christian school and businesses like, Atlas Advancement at River Bend Country Club. Convoy of Hope Eastern Europe will ship the meals to the refugees.
· The Outreach Program Regional Managers, Feed 6 (Bill Kanatas, and Chris Coyne) will send 72,000 meals working with 100 Rotarians from seven Chicago clubs, and they will host their own event with local volunteers. Meals will be sent by Convoy of Hope and sent to Eastern Europe for refugees.
· The Outreach Program Regional Manager Chris Romero in California will send 110,000 meals partnering with the University of San Diego and The 2050 Company and local volunteers. Convoy of Hope will send meals to Eastern Europe to refugees.
· The Outreach of Brainerd Lakes, Minn., Executive Director Shawn Hansen has packaged over 125,056 meals for Ukraine with local schools. One of the schools that packaged meals had Ukrainian foreign exchange students present. Convoy of Hope is sending meals to Eastern Europe.
· Packaging Associate Midwest Mission’s Executive Director, Chantel Corrie, out of Pawnee, Ill., has packaged over 72,000 meals for Ukraine.
· Packaging Associate Orphan Grain Train’s, Ross Peterson has sent over 95, 040 meals to the people of Ukraine.
· Outreach Donors and events have packaged over 500,000 additional meals to be sent to the Ukraine.
“There is a growing demand from local food pantries for food aid, and we need people’s help to provide the funds to package more meals,” Hammer said. “Our nutritious meals are only .35 cents per serving so caring donors can make a difference with the donor’s tax- deductible contributions. Now, more than ever, we can show our friends in the Ukraine as well as the welcoming border countries that we care.”
To donate to The Ukrainian Refugee Food Aid Support: Mail a check to: The Outreach Program 301 Center St., Union, Iowa 50258
“People are looking for something to do to make a difference,” Bradley said. “This gives them a platform for creating change.”
“Everyone working together makes a difference,” Hammer added.
This year The Outreach Program received the prestigious status as a Rotary International Collaborating Organization, and last year was awarded a certification from AIB International (American Institute of Bakers), which is one of the world’s foremost food safety certification organizations. The AIB certification represents the best practices for food handling and distribution in the industry.
The Outreach Program is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and Outreach Meal Packaging Events are set up across the United States to engage businesses, religious and civic organizations, schools, and volunteers of all ages to package nutritious meals for the hungry. Hammer and Hamilton were invited to the White House by former presidents Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush to be honored with the 5,000th Point of Light Award. As a recipient of the top “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator and GuideStar’s Exchange Seal for transparency, Outreach is committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged individuals.
For more information about The Outreach Program or to schedule an interview with their founders, please call 641-486-2550 or visit www.outreachprogram.org.
