With the economy in its current state, there are many, many people in need. It’s a tough but rewarding business. In addition to feeding the hungry, you will give them hope that someone really cares about them. If done in a deliberate and organized way, a feed the hungry program will not only be a blessing 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 make it a success.

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 spot, but you’ll know when you do. If you are in the center of the city, you can look for a place that is away from the homeless shelters and missions. 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’ll 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 will have your program. When stockpiling resources, more is definitely better.

Step 3 – Find partners

If you are working through your church, try partnering with another church. If it’s your business, find another business. There is a lot of work involved and the more people 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 others, adheres to the “80%, 20% rule”, 80% of the work will be done by 20% of the people. This is unfortunate, but that’s how most group dynamics work.

Step 4 – Identify a home base

You will need a place to store your gear, organize your food, and many other things that will arise 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 a few local businesses if you can use some of their warehouse space to store your equipment. You’ll be surprised how many companies will be happy to help with something like this. But you won’t know unless you ask. Organization is a priority for this undertaking. A central supply depot goes a long way in ensuring things run smoothly.

Step 5 – Test it out on a small scale.

A program like this can be overwhelming. If possible, try your feeding program on a small scale. Maybe try running a trial at your church or with the organization you’re working with. This will help you solve any challenges before “live”.