Volunteers to spurn Black Friday, pack meals Downtown

Volunteers will spend Black Friday working to pack 1 million meals for the Pittsburgh area’s homeless and food-insecure at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

The event, called Amen to Action, is in its third year. The aim is for volunteers to shrug off the usual consumerism of Black Friday and instead focus on giving back in the form of 1 million meals for those in need.

The day of meal-packing is organized by the Florida-based Meals of Hope, a nonprofit that organizing meal-packing events across the country.

“[It’s] about coming together to give back to others,” said Steve Popper, president of Meals of Hope. “We are beyond grateful for all of the volunteers that continue to make this event a success.”

Last year’s event topped the million meal mark, coming in at 1,036,111 meals. The packed meals go to food banks throughout the region.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and begins with an all-faiths worship service. Check-in is in the East Lobby of the convention center. Visit amentoaction.org for more information.