Volunteers Needed for What Organizers Hope will be Largest Annual ‘Rise Against Hunger’ Meals-Packaging Event Ever

The Wilton Interfaith Action Committee (Wi-Act: “We Act Together for Good”), a volunteer organization made up of congregants from 12 Wilton faith institutions, is holding its annual Rise Against Hunger meal-packaging event on Saturday, Oct. 18 at WEPCO (48 New Canaan Rd.). Organizers say Wilton has the chance to top past years’ efforts — but only if volunteers turn out.

Every year, this effort is the largest single-day Rise Against Hunger volunteer event in New England. In its history, Wi-Act has packaged over 1.5 million meals altogether.

Last year (2024), more than 700 Wilton-area volunteers packaged 141,235 meals, which enough to feed more than 400 children for an entire year wherever the need was greatest.

This year, organizers have been able to raise enough funds to collaborate with Rise Against Hunger to secure enough supplies to package 150,000 meals — all that’s remaining is the people-power in the form of volunteers to help make it happen.

Volunteer shifts run from 9-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-3 p.m., and 3-5 p.m. Volunteers can sign up for a shift online.

Former Wilton High School student Ella Breitenbach, a member of Wi-Act’s Steering Committee who now attends Cornell, produced a video to capture exactly what’s incredible about the experience of the community uniting together to do an extraordinary amount of GOOD:

Most directly, the event addresses worldwide hunger. A less obvious but no less important benefit is that it provides an opportunity for Wilton families to grow their joy in service and become closer amongst themselves and their neighbors by helping others. The hands-on teaming in meals packaging covers the full range of participant diversity (children through seniors).

Thus far funds have been raised for the cost of ingredients by supporting sponsors that include ASML, Wilton Kiwanis, Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Trust, Wilton Rotary, Garavel Autos, Caraluzzi’s, Fairfield County Bank, Gregory and Adams, P.C., Orem’s, Village Market, Fred Kaoud Oriental Rugs, The Little Pub, Sly Bandit, Wilton Auto & Tire and RISE Doughnuts, as well as faith institutions and many generous individuals.

Read more in GOOD Morning Wilton‘s coverage of the 2024 Rise Against Hunger event.