Volunteer with Meals from the Heartland!
Schedule through 09/30/2026
Make a hands-on impact in the fight against hunger! Girl Scout troops, families, and individual members are invited to serve with Meals from the Heartland, a Des Moines–based nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to save lives by fighting hunger.
Meals from the Heartland brings the community together to package nutritious meals for children and families in Iowa and around the world. Volunteers play a critical role in assembling meals that bring hope and nourishment to those who need it most.
What You’ll Do
During a two-hour packaging shift, Girl Scouts and their families will work alongside fellow volunteers and staff at organized stations to:
- Fill
- Weigh
- Seal
- Box nutritious meals
Each volunteer helps package an average of 540 meals — enough to feed two children for an entire year!
In 2026, Meals from the Heartland aims to assemble 23.3 million meals, and your troop’s teamwork helps make that goal possible.
Who Can Volunteer
This opportunity is open to troops, families, and individual Girl Scouts. Shifts are held regularly throughout the year, and participants can sign up for a date and time that works best for them using the provided registration link.
Age Guidelines & Adult Ratios
To ensure a safe and successful experience, please follow these guidelines (in addition to all Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints and ratio requirements):
- Daisies & Brownies: 1 adult per girl (1:1 ratio required)
- Juniors through Cadettes: 1 adult per 5 girls
- Seniors & Ambassadors: 1 adult per 9 girls
These ratios help ensure everyone has a safe, fun, and meaningful packaging experience.
Before You Arrive
To help your shift run smoothly:
- Arrive 10 minutes early for check-in and orientation
- Wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable, casual clothing
- Tie back long hair (hairnets and beard nets will be provided)
- Remove jewelry before packaging to maintain food safety
- Corporate, troop, or branded apparel is encouraged — celebrate your team!
- Bring your energy and teamwork — staff will guide you every step of the way