In the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, many Kansans want to contribute to relief efforts.

The Wichita State University community and the Elliott School of Communication have responded by planning a 1-million-meal food packaging event in collaboration with Numana Inc.

Meals packaged will be transported by the Salvation Army and airlifted by the U.S. military into high need areas of Haiti.

The event, coined a “super-mega packaging event” by Numana Inc., will take place from Friday, Feb. 5, to Sunday, Feb. 7, at WSU’s Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Meals, designed to nourish the body and support the immune system, include servings of rice, soy, freeze-dried vegetables and a 21-vitamin-and-mineral tablet.

Each meal costs 30 cents, and an average table of 12-14 people can package about 3,000 meals in an hour. This is a huge effort and will require at least 3,000 volunteers from WSU and the community to be successful.

Volunteers can sign up in teams or individually at Numanainc.com or just show up anytime during the event. Event dates and times are listed below.

Friday, Feb. 5: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 6: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 7: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

To date, nearly 1 million meals packaged by Kansans have been airlifted to Haiti. Those interested in packaging meals, becoming a part of the WSU coordination crew or donating money to purchase meals can sign-up at Numanainc.com.

If you have questions about the event, contact Deborah Ballard-Reisch, Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Chair in Strategic Communication, professor, Elliott School of Communication at (316) 978-6079 or deborah.ballard-reisch@wichita.edu.