Organizers are hoping for a great turnout for this year’s Food for Kidz food-packing event tomorrow, Thursday, March 15, in the Community Center.

The packing will last from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Organizers hope to pack 80,000 dehydrated meals, of which about three quarters will be distributed to low-income households in Arizona.

Groups distributing the meals will include the Extended Hands Food Bank of Fountain Hills; AZ Brainfood, which serves school children in the Valley; Native American Urban Ministry, and Native American Connections.

The remaining meals will be distributed both domestically and internationally by the Food for Kidz organization, wherever the meals are needed for victims of disasters, wars or unrest.

The campaign depends on volunteers who will spend two hours weighing and mixing measured amounts of ingredients for the meal packets, and sealing and packing them.

Last year, about 300 people participated, packing 80,000 packages of instant oatmeal with spice and dried soup mix with rice, vegetables and vitamins.

Participants included many grandparents and school children. This year’s campaign will be the eighth in as many years.

Volunteers are still needed, said Dave Bubke of New Journey Lutheran Church, who with his wife, Leslie, is co-chair of this year’s campaign.

Also, donations to buy the bulk dry ingredients for the meals are still being accepted, Bubke said. A $100 donation buys ingredients for about 600 meals.

This community effort has been backed this year by three primary sponsors including New Journey Lutheran Church, Church of the Ascension and Shepherd of the Hills church. Many other groups have helped fund the effort and are supplying volunteer workers to help pack the meals.

For more information, co-chairs Dave and Leslie Bubke can be reached by email at fhfoodpack@njlc-fh.org.