Will be discussing The Outreach Program's Food Packaging Program

Based in Union, IA

The Outreach Program is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation that organizes food packaging events around the country. With more than 330 million meals packaged to date, the organization’s mission is to provide safe water, food, medical care, and education to those in need, at home and abroad.

The Outreach Program’s mission is additionally supported by individual and corporate donations and from the purchase of handcrafted baskets made by women in the Singida region of Tanzania. These baskets are then shipped prepaid to churches and other organizations to be sold on consignment. Outreach recognizes this as one way to assist the people of the Singida region in building a future of self-reliance.

The Outreach Program also conducts twice-yearly medical missions in Tanzania. Since 2005, the group has taken more than 800 medical volunteers there. During each mission, which lasts eight to 10 days, doctors perform an average of 60 major surgeries for pediatric and women’s health issues, and other medical volunteers treat as many as 1,700 patients.

Outreach Tanzania has also overseen the construction of Gunda Secondary School and girls dormitory and an adjoining five-acre demonstration farm. Students learn farming skills, animal management, and provide the food for students and teachers. The first installation of equipment to sanitize drinking water was installed for use at the school.

The Outreach Program has built two Children’s Centers where street children can come to get a uniform, attend school, and return for a nutritious meal. Over 1,100 children are treated medically, provided tutoring, and a safe place to play.

In 2012, The Outreach Program and a Tanzanian partner acquired the company Shallom Farm and Plantation Ltd and its lease of 8,000 acres in Tanzania. Shallom will be used as a demonstration program to introduce new farming practices. The farm currently has over 700 head of cattle and is implementing rotational grazing practices.

matthew@outreachprogram.org