Westfield Rise Against Hunger | Community Meal-Packing Event

More than 200 Westfield residents gathered at Westfield High School on Saturday, October 10, for a Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event that exceeded its fundraising goal and united the community around a shared commitment to global food security.

By day’s end, volunteers had raised $21,085—surpassing the $20,000 fundraising target—and packed 40,800 nutritious meals destined for Rise Against Hunger’s international distribution network. While the meal-packing goal of 50,000 fell slightly short, the event demonstrated remarkable community coordination and engagement.

Rise Against Hunger is an international nonprofit organization that coordinates food distribution and community programs to help end world hunger. Each meal packed on Saturday contained rice, soy protein, vegetables, and vitamins—shelf-stable nutrition designed for storage and transport.

The Westfield event grew from inspiration and faith. Georgann Papadakos, a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, attended a Rise Against Hunger event earlier in 2026 and felt called to bring the model to Westfield. She connected with Rev. Alison V. Philip, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Westfield (FUMC Westfield) and chaplain for the Westfield Police Department. Together, they envisioned what would become a multi-faith community effort.

“Rev. Alison brought the idea to the Westfield Clergy Association, in which each clergy member brought the idea to their respective congregations. From there it took off and blossomed into the event we have today,” said Marybeth Jacob, a member of St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church and contributing event organizer.

The Westfield Clergy Association coordinated participation across multiple congregations, demonstrating the power of interfaith partnership. Deacon Keith Gibbons, a leader at the Westfield Food Pantry and chaplain for the Westfield Police Department, contributed to the organizing effort, connecting the event to local food security work.

Community members stepped up at six sponsorship levels: bronze ($250), silver ($500), gold ($750), diamond ($1,000), double diamond ($2,000), and platinum ($2,500). Sponsors ranged from individual households and local businesses like Salumeria Regina to organizations including the Presbyterian Church of Westfield, the Westfield Italian American Club, and multiple faith communities.

Volunteers worked at several stations, creating an assembly-line approach to meal production. They measured and packed ingredients into bags, sealed and labeled them, and sent them to boxing stations where meals were taped and prepared for shipment. The process made the work feel collaborative and purposeful.

Shondor Sulton, a Westfield community member attending his fourth meal-packing event, captured the volunteer spirit. “I would tell them that this is a great way to give back to the community and to the world, to people who are underprivileged and in poverty and don’t have meals,” Sulton said. “Don’t have food. Can you imagine?”

Organizers expressed hope that the meal-packing event becomes an annual Westfield tradition. Papadakos said: “Seeing our neighbors, friends and families unite for such a meaningful cause is truly incredible. Our hope is to make Westfield Rises Against Hunger an annual tradition, growing the event each year while also expanding our efforts to support local organizations fighting food insecurity.”

Rev. Philip spoke more cautiously about repetition, noting that annual status depends on sustained community interest. “We’d love for that to happen if the community response suggests people are interested and committed,” she said.

For residents interested in supporting food security beyond meal-packing, Rev. Philip encouraged learning about advocacy organizations including Bread for the World, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, and the Food Research & Action Center. Local efforts can be explored through the Westfield Food Pantry.

FAQ

1. What is Rise Against Hunger and what does it do?
Rise Against Hunger is an international nonprofit organization that coordinates food distribution and community programs to help end world hunger. The organization works with volunteers worldwide to pack nutritious, shelf-stable meals and support food security initiatives globally.

2. How did the Westfield event come about?
Georgann Papadakos, a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, attended a Rise Against Hunger event earlier in 2026 and was inspired to bring the model to Westfield. She partnered with Rev. Alison V. Philip (pastor of FUMC Westfield), who brought the idea to the Westfield Clergy Association. The clergy association coordinated participation across multiple faith communities, transforming the idea into a community-wide effort.

3. What were the fundraising and meal-packing results?
The event raised $21,085, exceeding its $20,000 goal. Volunteers packed 40,800 meals, falling slightly short of the 50,000-meal goal. Despite not reaching the meal target, the strong fundraising success and significant meal production demonstrated robust community engagement.

4. How did volunteers participate in the meal-packing process?
Volunteers worked at assembly-line stations: measuring and packing ingredients into bags, sealing and labeling meals, and boxing and taping packages for shipment. The station-based approach created a collaborative, purposeful volunteer experience.

5. Are there plans to repeat this event in Westfield?
Yes. Organizers expressed interest in making the event an annual Westfield tradition, though Rev. Philip noted that repetition depends on sustained community interest and commitment. If the community response is positive, “Westfield Rises Against Hunger” could become a lasting initiative.

6. How can people support food security efforts locally and globally?
Beyond meal-packing events, Rev. Philip encouraged residents to advocate for policies reducing poverty and improving food access through organizations like Bread for the World, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, and Food Research & Action Center. Locally, the Westfield Food Pantry offers opportunities to support community food security.