Packathon aims to foster community involvement as we work together to end hunger today, tomorrow, and for good! The annual, signature, hands-on food-packing event for the Great Plains Food Bank provides help and assistance to our community members in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota who are food insecure. The first Packathon took place in 2013.
For more information contact Rebecca Knutson at rknutson@greatplainsfoodbank.org
Packathon is held at the two warehouse locations of the Great Plains Food Bank.
Bismarck: April 24 and 25
Great Plains Food Bank, Regional Service Center
1315 S 20th St.
Fargo: April 29 and 30
Great Plains Food Bank, Statewide Distribution Center
1720 3rd Ave. N
Local and statewide businesses in Fargo and Bismarck, who have joined with us in our mission to end hunger together, are invited to form a team of ten employees (with room for up to 15) to participate in this exclusive food-packing and awareness-building experience. Shifts are 1.5 hours. Groups reserve their preferred time slot, knowing they fill on a first-come basis.
Great Plains Food Bank celebrates and highlights each team’s impact during a welcome orientation before their scheduled packing time and a closing reception, with refreshments and opportunities for further engagement.
Great Plains Food Bank partners with 205 food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens in 102 communities across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, providing 11.2 million meals to more than 156,000 individuals in need annually.
Each participating group donates $1,500 to support the cost to “move the food” they pack at either the Fargo or Bismarck warehouse. The donations are used to support the costs of trucking the surplus food such as gas, vehicle maintenance, and distribution.
On average, 80% of food distributed by our network of food pantries comes from Great Plains Food Bank. Ninety-six percent of Great Plains Food Bank revenue is used to deliver programs and services to our neighbors in need.
It is easy! The first step is to register.
- Register at https://give.greatplainsfoodbank.org/packathon2024.
- Select your preferred date. As a reminder, Packathon is April 24 and 25 in Bismarck and April 29 and 30 in Fargo. Please double check to make sure you register for the correct date based on your location.
- Registration is open until all slots are full. Teams are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.
- You will be required to provide contact information for a team captain. All information from Great Plains Food Bank regarding Packathon will go to this person.
- When Great Plains Food Bank receives your registration, you will receive an automated confirmation of your registration.
- The team captain is responsible for forming the team of ten (with room for up to 15) that will represent your company at Packathon. Great Plains Food Bank will be in contact with your team captain to provide a checklist of next steps, collect team member information, and communicate day-of expectations.
- Questions? Please contact Rebecca Knutson at rknutson@greatplainsfoodbank.org.