Meal packing events in Clarksdale and Hernando
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi (CFNM) and the Maddox Nonprofit & Volunteer Resource HUB are joining forces with The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”) and Extra Table to host two full days of meal packing events aimed at fighting food insecurity in Mississippi.
As part of a 2024 grant to CFNM, gifted by MolinaCares, in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, $50,000 has been dedicated specifically to partnering with Extra Table to provide healthy food access to those most in need.
The upcoming meal packing events will take place in Clarksdale and Hernando, with three packing sessions per day. During each one-hour session, volunteers will assemble 2,500 meal packages. With 7,500 meals packed each day, the two-day effort will yield a total of 15,000 meal packages—enough to feed 60,000 people. To sign up to volunteer and for specific volunteer session times, visit cfnm.org or email volunteer@cfnm.org for more information. The Clarksdale event will take place on May 15 starting at 8:30 a.m. at 1536 US-49. The Hernando event will take place on May 16 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Gale Center, 2601 Elm Street.
Each package contains a hearty, shelf-stable red beans and rice meal, nutritionally vetted and made with ingredients sourced from local Mississippi farmers. All it takes is water and heat to prepare. The meals will be distributed through CFNM’s 12-county service region to food pantries and nonprofit organizations serving food insecure families in some of the nation’s most rural and underserved food deserts. These pantries and nonprofits have been carefully selected through an extensive research and data collection process spearheaded by Delta Fellow and Ole Miss CREW member Sophie Hathaway and HUB Co-Directors Brenda Smith and Kara Dulaney along with community partners like the MSU Extension Service.
“This initiative reflects the power of partnerships in addressing hunger in our communities, continuing the Community Foundation’s commitment to fight childhood obesity, and supporting better health outcomes for Mississippi,” said Stacye Trout, Director of Development at CFNM. “Together, we are not just packing meals—we’re delivering hope and nourishment to thousands of Mississippi families.”
Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi news release
