You may have heard about the remarkable feat accomplished earlier today at State Farm Arena. In a display of community spirit and collective action, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm once again demonstrated their commitment to combating food insecurity in metro Atlanta with their 4th annual Million Meal Pack event.
6,000 volunteers, from all walks of life – individuals, families, community groups, churches, schools, and businesses – came together to pack meals on the floor of State Farm Arena. Their collective effort resulted in an astounding 1,050,336 meals packed and ready for distribution in just 450 minutes. This massive undertaking demonstrates the power of teamwork in addressing critical social issues.
“We thank all of today’s volunteers for coming out to State Farm Arena to help us pack more than one million meals,” said Steve Koonin, Chief Executive Officer of the Hawks and State Farm Arena.
The event also garnered support from various notable figures. Hawks and State Farm Arena Chief Executive Officer Steve Koonin, Hawks Legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Hawks players Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., Onyeka Okongwu and David Roddy and more supported volunteers as they helped combat food insecurity in metro Atlanta at the team’s largest single-day community service initiative. In addition, Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman, Atlanta City Councilmember Bryon Amos, Buddy Red, Gail Bean, Domani Harris, Campbell “Pookie” and Jett Puckett, and Young Dro joined volunteers throughout the day.
This year’s Million Meal Pack event will make a significant impact across the metro Atlanta area. With the operational support of U.S. Hunger, these meals will be distributed to several key organizations dedicated to combating food insecurity in the region.
“We are incredibly proud to once again partner with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm for this annual Million Meal Pack event,” said Rick Whitted, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Hunger.
The primary beneficiaries of this massive food packing effort include:Atlanta Community Food Bank, Hosea Helps, Midwest Food Bank, Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta, and Sweetwater Mission. These organizations play a crucial role in addressing hunger and food insecurity throughout Atlanta and its surrounding communities. Their networks and resources ensure that the packed meals reach those most in need, from families struggling to make ends meet to individuals facing unexpected hardships.
According to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the need for such initiatives is stark: one in eight Georgians currently live with food insecurity, including a staggering one in five children. The meals packed at State Farm Arena will provide immediate relief to thousands of individuals and families, offering not just nourishment but also hope and support to those facing challenging circumstances.
The Hawks and State Farm have previously hosted three Million Meal Pack events, in 2023, 2022 and 2019. In those three years, the two organizations have rallied more than 15,000 volunteers packing more than 3.1 million meals to benefit the community.
“In the fight against food insecurity in Atlanta, teamwork is our most powerful ingredient – collaborating to nourish not just bodies but hope and resilience throughout the community,” said Tanya James, Corporate Responsibility Manager at State Farm.
In line with State Farm Arena’s status as the world’s first TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certified sports venue, the Million Meal Pack event emphasized sustainability. All packaging materials used will be upcycled, ensuring that the positive social impact is matched by an equally positive environmental impact. This holistic approach sets a new standard for community service initiatives in the sports and entertainment industry.
By participating in or supporting events like this, you can play a crucial role in combating food insecurity and fostering a stronger, more resilient community. Together, we can make a significant impact in the lives of our neighbors and work towards a future where no one goes hungry.
To learn more about the Hawks work in the community, visit Hawks.com/Community.