FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 12, 2023

People across the nation volunteered to pack meals for communities with the most need

 To commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, hundreds of AmeriCorps members and volunteers supported efforts to package more than 6.5 million meals on Monday, Sept. 11, in partnership with the 9/11 Day organization. Volunteers served in 18 cities across America. 
   

  • New York, N.Y. – meals goal: 1,500,000  
  • Atlanta, Ga. – meals goal: 340,000  
  • Boston, Mass. – meals goal: 335,000  
  • Chicago, Ill. – meals goal: 455,000
  • Cincinnati, Ohio – meals goal: 210,00  
  • Cleveland, Ohio – meals goal: 275,000  
  • Columbus, Ohio – meals goal: 165,000  
  • Dallas, Texas – meals goal: 310,000  
  • Denver, Colo. – meals goal: 260,000  
  • Houston, Texas – meals goal: 325,000  
  • Los Angeles, Calif. – meals goal: 340,000  
  • Minneapolis, Minn. – meals goal: 260,000  
  • Nashville, Tenn. – meals goal: 210,000  
  • Phoenix, Ariz. – meals goal: 300,000  
  • Philadelphia, Pa. – meals goal: 520,000  
  • St. Louis, Mo. – meals goal: 390,000  
  • Tampa, Fla. – meals goal: 245,000   
  • Washington, D.C. – meals goal: 310,000  

  
Biden-Harris Administration Official and AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith, along with Ambassador Katherine Tai, helped volunteers in Washington, D.C., where they reached the goal of packaging 350,000 meals. 
  

AmeriCorps CEO with Ambassador Tai


“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. “Through a spirit of unity and an enduring commitment to our most cherished values, 9/11 Day of Service provides Americans an opportunity to reflect, remember and take action, knowing we’re unstoppable when we stand together.” 
 
Local partners nationwide worked to address hunger in their communities and distributed the meals. 
  
“The 9/11 Day Meal Packs were in cities throughout the United States. Each anniversary brings together caring people from all walks of life to both pay tribute and make a real impact for people in need,” said Jay S. Winuk, co-founder of 9/11 Day and the brother of Glenn Winuk, a first responder who died in the line of duty in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “And that’s what the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is all about – with outstanding support from AmeriCorps, this meal pack program is helping to keep the nation’s promise to ‘never forget’ while carving a positive path forward, one focused on unity and hopefulness.” 
  
In the aftermath of the tragedy that struck America more than 20 years ago, hundreds of AmeriCorps members stepped forward to help, aiding the injured, serving as family caseworkers and assisting those displaced from Ground Zero to find housing and other services. In 2009, September 11 was designated a National Day of Service by Congress, which AmeriCorps leads annually.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.