Thousands of volunteers fight hunger with the Atlanta Hawks at the “Million Meal Pack” – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA – More than 6,000 volunteers filled State Farm Arena Saturday to fight hunger in metro Atlanta.

They packaged over a million meals for distribution throughout the region.

This is the fourth year the Atlanta Hawks have partnered with State Farm Arena for the Million Meal Pack.

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There were countless conveyor belts on the floor of the arena where volunteers packaged healthy meals like jambalaya.

But with a DJ playing energetic music and flashing spotlights, the event felt more like a dance party.

Among the volunteers who stepped up was Melodee Lovett.

“I love giving back to my community and just doing God's work, honestly. And since I work from home, I just love getting out of the house and taking advantage of that. Doing things that matter,” she said Bryan Mims from Channel 2.

Every 90 minutes there was a shift change and a new group of volunteers streamed into the arena.

They gathered around 80 tables to offer meals.

More than one million meals were packaged during the seven-and-a-half-hour event.

Gerald Bell brought his crew from HomeTrust Bank.

“Because feeding the homeless and helping people is just part of our spirit. I took my daughter and we just decided we wanted to give back,” Bell said.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank estimates that one in eight Georgia residents is food insecure, including one in five children.

Jon Babul is Vice President of Community Impact for the Atlanta Hawks.

“It's really about the connection to our city and recognizing the needs of our city and the food insecurity. You just see it and hear about it,” Babul said.

The Hawks and State Farm Arena are partnering with US Hunger, a hunger relief organization, to distribute the meals.

“We will ensure that healthy food gets back into society and benefits those who really need it,” said Rick Whitted of US Hunger.

Once the meals are packaged, they are sent to several nonprofits in the greater Atlanta area, including Hosea Helps and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

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