In Partnership with the St. Louis Blues
Volunteers From Throughout St. Louis To Observe the 22nd 9/11 Anniversary by Packing Hundreds of Thousands of Meals for People in Need
22 Years After the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, Millions of Americans Now Pay Tribute
Through Volunteerism and Good Deeds
ST. LOUIS, August 11 – More than 1,100 people from throughout the St. Louis community plan to spend the anniversary of 9/11 helping others by packing as many as 400,000 healthy, non-perishable meals to be donated to the St. Louis Area Foodbank for distribution to individuals and families at risk of hunger in the region.
According to Feeding America, one in four Americans experience food insecurity every day.
The St. Louis Meal Pack for 9/11 Day is being held at Enterprise Center throughout the day on 9/11, co-hosted by the St. Louis Blues, AmeriCorps, and the 9/11 nonprofit 9/11 Day, which was founded in 2002 by 9/11 leaders and led the efforts to establish September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under federal law.
Now in its fourth year, the St. Louis Meal Pack for 9/11 Day is one of 18 9/11 Day Meal Packs that are being organized in cities across America. As many as 20,000 volunteers are expected to participate nationwide, packing more than 6,000,000 meals for 9/11 Day and as part of Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month.
In St. Louis more than 25 of the area’s leading corporations and their employees are planning to participate in the Meal Pack for 9/11 Day, including Stifel, the St. Louis Blues, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Citi and Pfizer.
Nationally, the 9/11 Day Meal Pack program is being supported by AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, Citi, United Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, Reliance Steel & Aluminum, and KPMG.
“We are proud to participate in supporting 9/11 Day as part of National Hunger Action Month,” said Meredith Knopp, St. Louis Area Foodbank, President/CEO. “The meals that volunteers will pack will make an important difference to people in our community who are food insecure.”
Over the past 22 years, since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the 9/11 anniversary has transformed into the largest day of service in America. Overall, more than 30 million Americans participate in 9/11 Day each year, dedicating time to helping others in need, and rekindling the spirit of unity that brought Americans together in the days following the 9/11 tragedy. As a growing annual tradition, many Americans also share their “good deed” plans via social media on the morning of 9/11 under the annual #IWillFor911Day social media initiative.
“Our lives have been shaped by how we, as a country, came together to respond in the wake of 9/11,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps, which provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. “Through a spirit of unity and an enduring commitment to our most cherished values, the 9/11 Day of Service provides Americans an opportunity to reflect, remember and take action, knowing we’re unstoppable when we stand together.”
As we look into this new school year, the St Louis Area Foodbank is continuing to work on ways to reduce the stress and strain on budgets by ensuring that children have the healthy and nutritious foods that they need to thrive this school year.
About 9/11 Day
The 9/11 Day observance was founded in 2002, inspired by the spirit of unity, service and shared humanity that arose in the United States and spread around the world following the events of September 11, 2001. Today, the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance – also known as 9/11 Day – stands as a permanent tribute to those lost and injured, and those who rose in service in response to the tragedy. As the single largest day of service in the U.S., 9/11 Day reminds us that coming together in a spirit of kindness, no matter our differences, has the power to change lives and ultimately, our world.
Participating Organizations
National:
AmeriCorps, Citi, United Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, Reliance Steel & Aluminum, and KPMG.
Local Lead Sponsors:
Stifel, the St. Louis Blues, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Citi and Pfizer.
Local Sponsors:
Dot Foods, First Bank, Boeing, Monarch, River City Casino & Hotel, Mallinckrodt, MetLife, Great Southern Bank, Lexitas, Breakthru Beverage Group, Larson Engineering, Husch Blackwell, Veterans Home Care, Friendship Village Senior Services, SWMW Law, Chenega MIOS.
