Editor’s Note: Rise Against Hunger’s work to end world hunger would not be possible without people who choose to give their time, energy and passion to support our mission. From participating in a meal packaging event, donating, spreading the word or volunteering at one of our local warehouses, every action makes a difference. For Drew Raskin, volunteering became more than a way to give back after moving to a new state; it became a way to find community and a sense of belonging. Keep reading this guest blog to hear his experience of volunteering at a Rise Against Hunger warehouse and helping at a large-scale meal packaging event. 

Two months ago, I moved from New Jersey to Georgia. 

Moving to a new state is exciting. It’s a chance to start fresh, experience something different, meet new people and begin a new chapter of your life. But as exciting as it can be, it can also be intimidating. I left behind a place I had known my entire life and came to Georgia determined to build a new life. I wanted to meet people, get involved in my community and find a place where I felt like I belonged. 

Back in New Jersey, I regularly looked online for volunteer opportunities. Volunteering had become something meaningful to me. I loved knowing that, even in a small way, I could give my time to help someone else. So, when I moved to Georgia, I started searching again. 

That’s when I found Rise Against Hunger. 

I looked into the organization and immediately felt that it was a cause worth supporting. I was excited to volunteer, but I was also nervous. I didn’t know anybody, and I had no idea what to expect. Walking into a completely new environment surrounded by people I had never met before was intimidating, especially knowing I was doing it completely by myself. 

But I decided to go. 

From the moment I arrived at Rise Against Hunger, I was welcomed by kindhearted people. We worked together to prepare food, organize supplies, package meals and get everything ready to be distributed around the world. Even though we weren’t personally handing the food to the people who would eventually receive it, we knew why we were there. 

We were making a difference. 

That feeling meant a lot to me. After that first experience, I was invited to come back, and I did. Pretty much every Monday, I started returning to the warehouse to volunteer. What began as a simple search for a way to give back gradually became something much more meaningful. I had found a place where I could consistently help others while becoming part of a community. 

I soon learned that Rise Against Hunger also hosts much larger meal packaging events, bringing together hundreds of volunteers throughout the day. When I was asked if I wanted to help the team at one of these events, I was genuinely honored. 

After only a few weeks of volunteering, I was being welcomed onto the team and trusted to help with a large-scale event. I received a Rise Against Hunger t-shirt and hat, and suddenly, I wasn’t just someone showing up to volunteer. I was part of the team. 

That meant a lot to me, but it also came with new responsibilities. This would be my first large-scale event, and I had no idea what to expect. 

I woke up around 6 a.m. to get ready and make my way to the event. When I arrived, I walked into a huge gymnasium filled with tables, supplies, volunteers and activity everywhere. There were bags of rice, soy, vegetables, vitamins, boxes, packaging materials and people moving in every direction. 

It was a lot to take in, but it was also amazing to see. 

Throughout the day, hundreds of people worked toward the same goal. Everyone had a role. Some volunteers measured and packaged the food, while others sealed the bags, packed meals into boxes, taped them shut or organized supplies. 

Each task might have seemed small on its own, but together, those tasks became thousands of meals. That was one of the biggest things I took away from the experience: everyone’s contribution matters. 

When we look at something as enormous as world hunger, it can be easy to wonder, “What difference can one person really make?” But one person doesn’t have to solve everything. We simply have to do our part. 

Then someone else does theirs. And someone else does theirs. 

Eventually, all of those individual efforts come together to create something far greater than any one person could accomplish alone. That realization made the experience even more meaningful to me. 

While the work itself was incredible, the people were what made the day truly special. There were so many volunteers, so many conversations and so many things happening at once, yet people continued to look out for one another. 

People talked to me, asked about my life and genuinely wanted to get to know me. I also had the opportunity to hear why other people volunteered and what brought them there. Some were volunteering for the first time, while others had been doing it for years. 

I was especially touched by seeing families participate together. Parents brought their children to volunteer, and kids worked alongside adults while learning firsthand what it means to give your time to help someone else. I think that is incredibly important. 

Many of us grow up with things we don’t always think twice about — food, clean water and other basic necessities. We are fortunate to have access to those things, but there are children around the world who do not have the same opportunities. 

Seeing young children take part in an effort to help other children was powerful because they weren’t simply being told about the importance of helping others. They were doing something about it. 

Multiple times throughout the day, I found myself looking around the gymnasium and thinking, “Wow, this is really special.” 

There is no guarantee that the people receiving these meals will ever know our names. They may never know who measured the rice, sealed the bags, packed the boxes or spent the day working to make those meals possible. 

But I hope they know something even more important: there are people out there who care about them, want to help them and love them, even if we have never met. 

I’m incredibly grateful to the Rise Against Hunger team for welcoming me, trusting me, teaching me and giving me the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. 

When I moved to Georgia, I was looking for a way to give back and become part of my new community. I found both. 

I’m proud to play even a small role in helping provide food to people around the world, and I’m excited to continue coming back, volunteering and doing whatever I can to help. 

Because no child should go hungry. And if I can play even a small part in helping change that, I’m honored to do it.

Feeling inspired by Drew’s story and want to also give your time to help end hunger? Host a meal packaging event at your preferred location across the U.S. or sign up to volunteer locally at one of our warehouses!