VAIL EDWARDS ROTARY CLUB TO PACK 10,000 SERVINGS OF MEALS FOR EAGLE COUNTY NEIGHBORS IN NEED

Community invited to volunteer at June 18 Meals of Hope event in Edwards 

EDWARDS, CO – May 21, 2026 — The Vail Edwards Rotary Club, in partnership with the Community Market, is calling on Eagle County residents to roll up their sleeves and fight local hunger — one meal package at a time. On Wednesday, June 18, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, volunteers will gather to assemble nearly 1,700 shelf-stable meal packages, providing 10,000 servings, through Meals of Hope, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger in communities across the country. 

The event will be held at a facility generously provided by Vail Health in Edwards, Colorado. 

Packed meals will go directly into the hands of Eagle County residents who need them most, distributed through the Community Market, the MIRA bus, and The Salvation Army Vail Center.

“Food insecurity in our valley is real, it’s growing, and it’s something we can actually do something about,” said Penny Wilson of the Vail Edwards Rotary Club. “Holding a Meals of Hope event has been on my radar for years, and the time is right. We hope this is the first of many events like this in the future.” 

Meals of Hope is a 501(c)(3) organization that has packed more than 100 million meals since its founding in 2007. What makes the model work: food packed in a community stays in that community. Every package assembled on June 18 will feed a neighbor right here in the Vail Valley. 

No experience is needed to volunteer. This event is designed for those aged 14 and over and all skill levels. If you show up, there’s a job for you. Volunteers can expect an energetic, hands-on morning with real impact. 

To sign up to volunteer, visit bit.ly/VailEdwardsRotaryMealsofHope. 

About the Vail Edwards Rotary Club: Rotary is a global network of community volunteers dedicated to service above self. The Vail Edwards Rotary Club serves the Eagle County community through local projects, youth programs, and international initiatives. Membership is open to all who want to make a difference — whether through hands-on community service or staying connected to what’s happening across the valley. To learn more, visit VailEdwardsRotary.com. 

About The Community Market: The Community Market (TCM) is tackling food insecurity across the Eagle River Valley through two storefront locations in Gypsum and Edwards, pop-up Mobile Markets, and comprehensive outreach programs. By offering fresh produce, dairy, meats, bread, and shelf-stable items, TCM helps more than 4,500 individuals each week access healthy food on a regular basis. Beyond food access, TCM promotes community health through cooking and nutrition classes, budgeting workshops, school lunch debt forgiveness, and targeted outreachfor youth and seniors. TCM’s mission is simple: no family in our community should have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. 

About Meals of Hope: Meals of Hope is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to inspiring and empowering communities to end hunger. With more than 30,000 volunteers and events held across the country, Meals of Hope has packed over 100 million meals for communities in need. Learn more at mealsofhope.org.