Scott Norem, left, and Dan Eaton, of Meals from the Heartland, based in West Des Moines, transported the packed meals. The goal was to pack 60,000 meals on Wednesday. Meals go throughout the world, but the need currently is South Africa and Zambia, and to a lesser extent Liberia and Ghana.
In 2024, approximately 19 million meals were packaged and distributed by volunteers. Meals from the Heartland is one of six organizations that feed 622,000 kids meals per day in 45 countries, the United States included.

Volunteers worked in shifts to package 60,000 meals for Meals for the Heartland Wednesday during the Hands of Christ — Feeding the Hungry event at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish Center, 1000 Des Moines Street, Webster City.

Heidi Tesdahl, second from left, helped to organize the event.

Sally Kirk and Gene Timmons, both of Webster City, sealed some of the meals.