National Lunch
National Lunch is one of the oldest technologies of Food Bank Rus, which we began to use back in 2013. It allows people in need to get “national lunches”: sets of high-quality food and products, while volunteers spend their time with use and fun.
How it works
We purchase food and products.
We pack grocery baskets—“national lunches”.
We give out lunches to those in need on the spot or deliver to door, if necessary.
Project background
We launched National Lunch in partnership with the Synodal Department for Church Charity of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the first packaging was at the Martha and Mary Convent of Love and Mercy.
We arranged real packaging stations on the territory of churches and temples every two weeks for several hours. We put long tables, stacked food, and distributed protective masks, hair caps, and gloves to volunteers.
The first food packages included rice, buckwheat, peas, rolled oats, pasta, dried mushrooms, and oil. The volume of groats was strictly limited: 500 grams each. Volunteers carefully packed the bags with ingredients.
We divided volunteers into teams and held competitions on speed packaging: the event participants remember every day of the project as an exciting adventure.
The sets are now larger and more varied: we can put whole bags of groats, add canned fish and meat, tea, and even sweets. We arrange distribution hubs at different facilities like offices of partner companies and rented warehouses. However, we have maintained a unique atmosphere of unity, lightness, and fun at this project.
Come pack the next National Lunch and see for yourself.
