FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did Meals from the Heartland begin?
2. Is Meals from the Heartland affiliated with a religious organization?
3. Is Meals from the Heartland a non-profit 501(c)3 organization? How can I verify?
4. What is in the Meals from the Heartland food package? How can it feed 6 people and is it proven to help starving people?
5. How is it determined where the food packaged at Meals from the Heartland goes?
6. How much of my donation to Meals from the Heartland goes to the cause of feeding hungry people vs. administrative expenses? How can I trust my donation to Meals from the Heartland is going to where it is promised?
7. Can I designate my United Way gif to Meals from the Heartland?
8. Is Meals from the Heartland associated with Charity Navigator?
9. How is Meals from the Heartland associated with other similar groups I have heard of, like “Kids Against Hunger?”
10. Where does the non-perishable food for Iowans go that is brought by volunteers to Meals from the Heartland? How is that determined?
11. What in-kind donations would Meals from the Heartland consider or be interested in from my business?
12. How do I learn more about Meals from the Heartland?

1. How did Meals from the Heartland begin?
The inspiration for Meals from the Heartland began with a 2007 food packaging event sponsored by Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. The success of that event encouraged leaders to organize a community-wide event that would involve more volunteers who could package more meals to feed hungry children and families around the world. It was that leap of faith that brought Meals from the Heartland to Des Moines, Iowa, in September 2008, resulting in 12,000 volunteers who packaged over 4 million meals.
2. Is Meals from the Heartland affiliated with a religious organization?
No, Meals from the Heartland is not affiliated with any one religious organization. It is an effort that welcomes the entire community, including businesses, organizations, schools, churches, individual and families. Meals from the Heartland works to bring diverse communities together in an effort to provide food to the hungry around the world.
3. Is Meals from the Heartland a non-profit 501(c)3 organization? How can I verify?
Yes, Meals from the Heartland has received designation from the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Contributions received by Meals from the Heartland are tax deductible. To view documentation regarding Meals from the Heartland’s non-profit status, please click here or contact us.
4. What is in the Meals from the Heartland food package? How can it feed 6 people and is it proven to help starving people?
Meals from the Heartland food packages contain rice,  soy protein, dried vegetables and vitamins. The packages were formulated by a nutritionist to be accepted by many cultures around the world. When cooked in boiling water, the rice expands, the soy adds protein and the dried vegetables and vitamin powder provide additional micronutrients that are needed.
On a January 2009 medical mission trip to Tanzania, East Africa, the lead pediatrician from Des Moines reported, “We have incredible evidence on the impact of the meals. Those kids who have been fed one time per day since August had the largest arm circumference, healthy hair and skin and little to no stomach bloating. Several new groups of school children have only recently been added to the program, and they still show nutritional distress. So, the meals truly make a difference.”
5. How is it determined where the food packaged at Meals from the Heartland goes?
As a non-profit organization, Meals from the Heartland is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who approve the distribution of food based upon recommendations from a committee. Factors considered in making this decision include the number of meals available, the need/requests received and the ability of partner organizations to assure that food can be safely transported and distributed to people in need, as intended.
6. How much of my donation to Meals from the Heartland goes to the cause of feeding hungry people vs. administrative expenses?
How can I trust my donation to Meals from the Heartland is going to where it is promised?
Meals from the Heartland is a volunteer organization working to feed starving people around the world as efficiently as possible.  Meals from the Heartland has been blessed to have volunteer support and partners of in-kind services that limits administrative and overhead expenses (currently no full-time staff). Because of this support, donations are directed by the Board of Directors to purchase raw ingredients and packaging materials to feed as many people as possible.
7. Can I designate my United Way gift to Meals from the Heartland?
Yes, Meals from the Heartland is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that meets the criteria of the United Way to receive designated contributions.
8. Is Meals from the Heartland associated with Charity Navigator?
At this time, Meals from the Heartland is not associated with Charity Navigator, but will strive to be in the future. Charity Navigator, one of the country’s largest premier services evaluating charitable organizations in the country, only reviews non-profit organizations after they have been in existence for four or more years and have at least four consecutive IRS 990s to review. Since Meals from the Heartland has been in existence less than 4 years, it does not yet qualify.
9. How is Meals from the Heartland associated with other similar groups I have heard of like “Kids Against Hunger”?
Meals from the Heartland has its roots with Kids Against Hunger, but is now a separate non-profit organization. The Meals from the Heartland Annual Hunger Fight is the largest food packaging event of its kind in the country. Our desire is to feed as many people as possible by growing this effort and by working with other organizations. Currently, Meals from the Heartland works with Convoy of Hope based in Springfield, MO.
10. Where does the non-perishable food for Iowans go that is brought by volunteers to Meals from the Heartland? How is that determined?
To date, when non-perishable food is collected during the Meals from the Heartland food packaging events, the food has been given to the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) food pantries and the Food Bank of Central Iowa. Both are well-respected non-profit organizations that distribute food to thousands of local families each year.
11. What other in-kind donations would Meals from the Heartland consider or be interested in from my business?
Meals from the Heartland seeks and receives in-kind support through marketing, promotion, printing, packaging materials, transportation and much more. For more information, please contact us at contact@mealsfromtheheartland.org .
12. How do I learn more about Meals from the Heartland?
To learn more about Meals from the Heartland, you may 1) read more within this site, 2) request to have a speaker come to your school, business, organization or breakfast club or 3) contact us with any questions you may have at contact@mealsfromtheheartland.org.

Thank you for your interest and support of Meals from the Heartland. Your help is important as we work together to help feed hungry children and their families in the world.