2011 Meal Marathons
Event Information
Each spring during our annual Hunger Campaign, Children of the Nations (COTN) hosts Meal Marathons. During these events, volunteers in local communities participate in our meal packaging events to prepare meals to be shipped overseas. Our packaging team sets up an assembly-line process where bags are filled with scoops of lentils, dried vegetables, fortified chicken powder, and rice. The bags are sealed, put into boxes, and shipped to our ministry centers in Africa and the Dominican Republic.
Meal Marathons are any event that packages 50,000 meals or more. Each Meal Marathon is community-powered and sends thousands of meals to orphaned and destitute children in COTN's care.
285,000 meals is enough to feed 780 children every day for a year.
What is a Meal Marathon?
This event brings the entire community together to package meals for famine-stricken children around the world. Children of the Nations uses this special food to care for the daily nutritional needs of the children in our care. Meal Marathons are high-energy group events that gives everyone a chance to fight world hunger. We look forward to seeing you there!
How Do I Get Involved?
We need volunteers. The first step is to gather a group of family and friends who want to participate. Once this is done, register your group for an event near you. So get your church, workplace, neighborhood, or civic group involved in feeding children overseas!
What Will I Be Doing?
At the Meal Marathon, you will participate hands-on in the assembly-line process. Individual bags will be filled with four ingredients: lentils, dried vegetables, vitamin-fortified powder, and rice. Participants will take turns scooping, weighing, and sealing bags and boxing packaged meals for shipment overseas. The atmosphere is fun and high-energy, with music and a short presentation on COTN's children who will benefit from our food.
Do I Need to Bring Anything?
Everything you need for packaging meals will be provided. Comfortable clothes or shoes are recommended. The suggested donation is $60 for each volunteer. With these donations all food, packaging supplies, and shipping costs are covered. If for any reason you cannot afford to give $60, no problem! Whatever you are able to bring, you can join the event and package those meals for our children.
There will also be T-shirts available. Please bring additional money if you'd like to purchase one.