Another incredible day of service and community spirit marked the latest Rotary Club of Bedford's Hope for the Hungry meal packing event on Saturday, March 21. With more than 120 dedicated volunteers, joined by over 20 enthusiastic Rotarians, the event was a resounding success, resulting in 27,588 meals packed for distribution through the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.
Hope for the Hungry 2026, Rotary’s 12th annual meal-packing event, took place at the Bedford campus of longstanding venue partner Middlesex Community College. In the decade since the club committed to fighting hunger, Rotary and community volunteers have packed more than a half-million meals.
Event partner Meals of Hope New England, a Chelmsford-based arm of the Florida nonprofit committed to fighting the hunger epidemic which fosters meal-packing nationwide, guided the meal-packing. More than 20 Rotarians participated in coordinating the event.
This year’s more than 120 volunteers spanned generations and came from a mix of community groups, including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, SAAB (South Asian Association of Bedford), two Girl Scout troops, the BHS Best Buddies program, the BHS Interact Club, families with their children, and individuals who contributed their time and energy.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church served as the premier sponsor. SAAB, DVSN (Domestic Violence Services Network), Salem Five, CBIZ, Bedford Food Pantry, Ken’s Deli, DCH Barrett-Sotheby’s, and Rockland Trust sponsored tables.
The meal-packing event also included a collection of personal care items. All benefit the Middlesex Community College food pantries on both the Lowell and Bedford campuses.