FORT PIERCE – Pack the House presented by Wells Fargo has been rescheduled to Oct. 27-28. This year, Treasure Coast Food Bank’s premier 24-hour sorting and packing event will help many facing hardship following Hurricane Irma.
Join volunteers and community leaders at Treasure Coast Food Bank’s headquarters, 401 Angle Road in Fort Pierce, for an event that will pack more than 200,000 meals for those struggling with hunger in the community.
The annual event traditionally scheduled in September as part of Hunger Action Month is more significant this year as Treasure Coast Food Bank continues to support disaster relief efforts for those most affected by Hurricane Irma on the Treasure Coast.
“Hurricane Irma caused thousands of families to lose homes, food, and work hours, and for those already struggling, it will be many months before they fully recover,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “Since the hurricane hit, we’ve distributed nearly 1 million meals on the Treasure Coast and in Okeechobee County. This year, we expect to see more people looking for assistance during the holidays, and Pack the House will help prepare for it.”
Starting at Noon on Friday, Oct. 27, hundreds of volunteers will work 3-hour shifts to sort and pack meals, including family boxes, senior boxes, holiday food boxes, and backpacks for school-age children.
The 24 hours are punctuated with activities that include Karaoke, Midnight Zumba, and a Halloween costume party. Local restaurants, Moonswiners Bar-B-Q, Pappy’s Pizza, Chick-fil-A, Azul Mexican Restaurant, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Dixie Cream Donuts, and The Cake Lady will be providing food throughout the 24 hours to keep the volunteers energized.
Products and services for Pack the House will be provided by Audio Excitement DJ Services, Pepsico/Tropicana, Sign Store & More, LLC, Tidy Coast Event Rentals, Top Clown Karaoke, and Zumba with Darleen & Joy.
Other Pack the House and Hunger Action Month sponsors are American Public Works Association, Bank of America, Florida Power & Light, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Southern Eagle Distributors, Walmart Distribution Center #7038, Walmart Transportation #7838, and White Glove Moving & Storage.
The event will kick off with community leaders gathering for an opening ceremony at noon on Friday, Oct. 27th and wrap up with the final meal count at noon on Saturday, Oct. 28.
To volunteer for the event, visit stophunger.org/volunteer.