By Hildegard Van Niekerk and Kathryn Dalziel
JPdL Toronto and Niagara recently joined hundreds of volunteers at INK Entertainment’s Kool Haus to kick start the ONEXONE Million Meals Movement. With the support of ONEXONE, JPdL took the charge, leading local youth, community members, and corporate partners to pack over 100,000 meals to be donated to thousands of children in need in Toronto and Montreal.
The team and volunteers got to work bright and early, and by noon, pallets of thousands of water bottles, juice boxes, oatmeal, granola bars, and other food items, donated by Sodexo and Pepsico, lined the warehouse walls waiting to be packed. By four o’clock, the warehouse was a frenzy of hundreds of volunteers bagging meals, unwrapping packaging, running boxes, stacking pallets, loading trucks, and sweating for a cause. Each JPdL staff member oversaw a table of 40 volunteers packing one of seven different meals. Throughout the packing, bands Simple Plan and MAGIC! made appearances to thank volunteers and increase the excitement and noise.
As the event drew to a close, Joey Adler, founder of ONEXONE and CEO and founder Diesel Canada, made a touching speech about the value of making a difference in human lives, one by one. Adler highlighted the immense, positive impact the volunteers and sponsors’ contributions will have on children across North America. As volunteers left the warehouse, many said they were thrilled to be able to contribute to their community and that they felt reconnected with their city.
ONEXONE is fighting to end hunger in North America with mega‐events like the One Million Meals Movement and partners such I Can Go Without. Everyone can chip in to fight hunger in North America through the I Can Go Without App. Instead of buying a cup of coffee, for example, users can make a micro‐donation to an organization of their choice. Check out icangowithout.com for more information.
