Your World Food Day Visit

Each day, Danforth Center scientists work on long-term nutritional solutions to assist the poorest of the poor. In the interim, our hearts tell us that we can do still more. Our World Food Day Commemoration features a "food packaging event" in which St. Louis children and adults can be part of teams creating nutritious meals for those facing immediate hunger challenges.

Intended for nearly all ages (children as young as seven can help when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult: see age guidlines below) this remarkable humanitarian and educational experience will address global hunger and the role science can play in eradicating malnutrition.

Teams of 10-12 volunteers will, in assembly-line formation, package ingredients in small plastic bags to be sealed and delivered to sub-Saharan Africa by our experienced partner, Outreach International The ingredients are:

• Rice: a globally accepted recognized staple
• Dehydrated vegetables
• Soy: protein
• A vitamin and mineral packet

The cost of each life-sustaining meal is approximately 25 cents. Volunteers provide donations to offset a portion of the costs; their contributions are matched by other generous donors and sponsors. The full cost of a one hour packaging session is approximately $35 per person.

Donation amounts for 2011 are $10 per student and $20 per adult.

After arrival and check-in, volunteers will sanitize their hands and apply a hairnet. Each volunteer will then join a specific food packaging line for a one hour session which is conducted while standing (for safety reasons, there can be no sitting on the floor and there is no room for chairs or stools at the table; you will be standing for the full duration). The ratio of adults to children will vary according to age:

• for children 7-9: the adult to child ratio should be 1 adult for every 2 children
• for children 10-12: the adult to child ratio should be 1 adult for every 3 children
• for children 13 and up: the adult to child ratio should be 1 adult for every 5 children

In each case, no person under the age of 17 may operate the bag sealer (which requires 2 volunteers)

At the conclusion of the one hour session, volunteers will see a short film about the Danforth Center's work, take a brief tour (to include time in our greenhouses), meet the members of our international team, and begin to understand the long-term health and hunger solutions on which we work. The Danforth Center is home to scientists from more than 20 nations – we truly are an international center for plant science!

Event Packaging Hours:
Friday, October 14 – 9:00am – 6:00pm (last packaging starts then)
Saturday, October 15 – 9:00am – 4:00pm (last packaging starts then)