With social distancing requirements making it difficult for businesses and programs to operate — especially meal packaging services that rely on volunteers — the Kansas Division of Emergency Management has teamed up with the Kansas National Guard to overcome those difficulties to provide meals to those in need.
In late April more than 40 Kansas Guardsmen arrived in Leawood, Kansas, to work in one of seven meal packaging lines. Guardsmen pack, weigh, seal and box food bags that include menu items such as macaroni and cheese, Spanish rice and minestrone soup. The food is then put into seven-meal "pantry packs" and stacked on pallets for distribution to food pantries throughout the state.
It's a joint venture, with both the Air and Army Guard. We have a lot of unique talents, and this is a great opportunity for them to come together, learn from each other, build efficiencies and support the surrounding communities."
Army Capt. Michael Ludwick, Kansas National Guard
"The outreach program has provided us with meals that have been purchased through KDEM," said Army Capt. Michael Ludwick, commander, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery. The guardsmen have packaged more than 4 million meals and are working toward the 5 million mark, he added.
The assembly line process for constructing the meals requires a team of four to six guardsmen at each table. Each team is responsible for packaging one of the seven meal varieties. Two guardsmen scoop raw product into funnels while a third holds the meal bag that already contains the specified meal seasoning. Another team member weighs the bag to ensure it is within the weight tolerance level, and then the meal is vacuum sealed and placed in a box to be packed up for distribution.
"This mission is helping a lot," said Army Spc. Gabriella Guzman, a combat medic. "Because of COVID-19, there are a lot of people unemployed, especially with families, that need food."
The community is directly affected by the number of meals that are packaged and sent to their food pantries.
"We try to pack roughly 12 pallets a day, which is over 2,000 pantry packs," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Douglas Fisher, with the Kansas Air National Guard's 127th Weather Flight. "This is just part of what they will receive at the food pantries they visit. The rest includes fresh produce and dairy products."
Many guardsmen joined the military with hopes of helping their community, and the million meals mission provides that opportunity to them. It has allowed them to work in an environment that creates a bigger picture of supporting their communities at the lowest level.
"This is a unique mission," Ludwick added. "It's a joint venture, with both the Air and Army Guard. We have a lot of unique talents, and this is a great opportunity for them to come together, learn from each other, build efficiencies and support the surrounding communities."
(Army Staff Sgt. Dakota Helvie is assigned to the Kansas Adjutant General's Department.)