The UNMC Department of Internal Medicine hosted a campus-wide food packaging event on Nov. 20. In just two hours, more than 100 volunteers helped package 21,000 meals to be distributed to local food pantries.
UNMC faculty, APPs, staff and trainees gathered in the Truhlsen Campus Events Center to package a shelf-stable taco macaroni meal in partnership with Meals from the Heartland and Food Bank for the Heartland.
Watch media coverage of the event: UNMC volunteers pack meals for Omaha food banks and UNMC volunteers pack thousands of meals
Jasmine Marcelin, MD, vice chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine’s Office of Belonging and Community Engagement, said this event demonstrates the department’s commitment to the community and she hopes it becomes an annual tradition.
“This event was a milestone for UNMC, our department and our community, and I’m very proud of what we accomplished together to fight food insecurity in Omaha,” said Dr. Marcelin, who is also an associate professor in the UNMC Division of Infectious Diseases. “We were overwhelmed in the best way by our call for volunteers – we had a waiting list of people who wanted to help – and 112 volunteers from across campus turned their compassion into action today.”
Mark Rupp, MD, interim chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, volunteered at the event.
“It was a terrific event and very successful with 21,000 meals that stay right here in the Omaha area and go to people who need them,” Dr. Rupp said. “I can’t think of a better way to show our commitment to the community and the people we serve.”