In an inspiring display of compassion and teamwork, more than 100 Easterseals Northeast Indiana volunteers and community members gathered Wednesday morning at the Projects Drive building to make a global impact—one meal at a time.
Volunteers packed over half a ton of food for shipment to Ukraine, a country that continues to endure the devastating effects of war. The event was part of a partnership with Project 216, a Fort Wayne-based nonprofit dedicated to providing nutritious food to people in crisis situations across the world.
A Team Effort Fueled by Purpose
This meal-packing event was powered by approximately 110 volunteers, many of them regular participants in Easterseals Northeast Indiana day services, staff, and friends of the organization. Under the direction of Ashley Gettys, Easterseals Northeast Indiana’s Director of Day Services and Community Supports, the volunteer teams worked for about two hours to assemble the life-saving food kits.
“Easterseals Northeast Indiana volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission,” Gettys said. “Whether it’s local service or international support, our volunteers show up with purpose and heart.”
Nutritious Meals, Carefully Packed
Working in assembly lines of 8 to 10 people, the volunteers filled heavy-duty plastic bags with carefully measured ingredients: rice, soy protein (provided by ADM), dried vegetables, and vital vitamins and minerals. Each 14-ounce package contains six servings, each offering 12 grams of protein and 210 calories—essential nutrition for individuals who may not know where their next meal is coming from.
The volunteers heat-sealed the bags and loaded them into cardboard boxes, with 36 packages per box, ready for transport. Each meal is designed to be prepared by boiling, making it easy to cook even in limited-resource environments. Once prepared, the food transforms into a colorful, nutrient-rich dish featuring dried carrots, onions, tomatoes, celery, kale, and bell peppers.
A Partnership That Saves Lives
The food-packaging effort was made possible by generous support from an anonymous donor and agribusiness company ADM, which contributed the soy protein. Ellen Mann, spokeswoman for Project 216, emphasized the importance of such partnerships: “These meals don’t just feed people—they bring hope. And events like this are only possible because of dedicated volunteers and community-focused organizations like Easterseals Northeast Indiana.”
The Power of Volunteering
This event is just one of the many ways that Easterseals Northeast Indiana volunteers give back. Whether serving locally or contributing to global humanitarian causes, these volunteers continue to embody the organization’s mission of inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for all people.
To learn more about how to become a volunteer with Easterseals Northeast Indiana, visit our website and explore upcoming service opportunities. Your time and compassion can change lives—right here in our community and far beyond.