Two local groups—Meals from the Heartland and Lutheran Church of Hope—have teamed up to support emergency relief efforts in Haiti. Originally hoping to raise enough money to package 300,000 meals, they’ve now raised their goal to more than 2 million.

“It should not surprise us that Iowans’ hearts were much bigger than we predicted, and our hopes were realized and far exceeded,” wrote Mark Aeilts, Meals from the Heartland board chair, in a recent newsletter.

Churches, schools, businesses, and individuals have found fun and creative ways to help raise the funds needed to purchase food package ingredients. Oviatt Elementary in Norwalk, for example, raised $1,606 from a one-day “hat day” for students. North Polk High School in Alleman raised $1,200 from a three-day bake sale. And Hearts for Haiti, a silent auction featuring Iowa musicians, raised more than $12,000.

“We want you to know that we are more than grateful for all that has been done and provided to us through Meals from the Heartland,” says Gretchin DeVoe, who’s currently serving in Haiti through Lifeline Christian Ministries. “And we are counting on having the blessing of receiving more in the future.”

Meals from the Heartland is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that launched its first mass meal packaging effort for impoverished countries in September 2008. The first-time event attracted more than 12,000 volunteers to Hy-Vee Hall to package an astounding 4,000,000 meals in just five days.

Working in teams of eight to ten, in two-hour shifts, volunteers package meals to be delivered to starving people around the world. Individuals, businesses, schools, churches and various civic organizations have come together to show the nation and the world that Iowans truly care.

Due to the recent catastrophe, all Meals from the Heartland efforts are currently focused on providing support for those suffering from the earthquakes in Haiti.

If you’d like to help, visit MealsfromtheHeartland.org to donate or to sign up for volunteer activities.