With the economy in its current state, there are many, many people in need. It is a difficult but rewarding undertaking. In addition to simply feeding the hungry, it will give them hope that someone really cares about them. If done deliberately and in an organized way, a hungry feeding program will be a blessing not only to those you are feeding, but also to you and the volunteers. If you feel called to start a program to feed the hungry, here are some steps you can take to help it succeed.

Step 1: identify the need

Explore the areas where you think there will be people who will need your help. It may take some time to find the right place, but you will know when it will. If you are in a central area, you can find a location that is away from missions and homeless shelters. For whatever reason, there are many hungry / homeless who do not use the services of these shelters.

Step 2: identify your resources

Not only will you need food to feed people, but you will also need people to help you feel them. An enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers is essential. There is so much work and planning to do that not everyone can have enough volunteers. In addition to food, you will also need tables, chairs, and a storage area. Then there are the transportation needs. You will need to bring your food, chairs, tables, and volunteers to the site where you are hosting your program. As you accumulate resources, more is definitely better.

Step 3: find partners

If you are working through your church, try a partner from another church. If it is your business, find another business. There is a lot of work involved and the more people that get involved the better. One thing that happens to many volunteer groups is that the leaders and those who do most of the work burn out. This type of program, like most of those who adhere to the “80%, 20% rule”, 80% of the work will be done by 20% of the people. This is unfortunate, but it’s just the way most group dynamics work.

Step 4: identify a home base

You will need a place to store your gear, to stage your food, and many other things that will come up over time. It will make life much easier and less stressful if you have a dedicated area that contains your equipment. If you don’t have space, try asking some local businesses if you can use some of their warehouse space to store your equipment. You will be surprised how many companies will be happy to help you with something like this. But you won’t know unless you ask. Organization is a priority for this company. A central supply depot goes a long way toward ensuring that things go smoothly.

Step 5: Test it on a small scale.

A program like this can be overwhelming. If possible, try your small-scale feeding program. Maybe you will try a review at your church or with the organization you are working with. This will help you solve any challenges before you start “living.”