Packathon aims to foster community involvement as we work together to end hunger – not only today, but tomorrow and for good! The annual, signature, hands-on food-packing event for Great Plains Food Bank provides help and assistance to our community members in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, who are food insecure. The first Packathon took place in 2013.
For more information contact Rebecca Knutson at rknutson@greatplainsfoodbank.org
Packathon is held at the two warehouse locations of Great Plains Food Bank— in Bismarck, April 21 and 22 and in Fargo, April 27 and 28
Bismarck: 1315 S 20th St.
Fargo: 1720 3rd Ave. N
Local and statewide businesses in Fargo and Bismarck, who have joined with us in our mission to end hunger together, are invited to form a team of eight employees to participate in this exclusive food-packing and awareness-building experience. Shifts are 1.5 hours. Groups reserve their preferred time slot, knowing they fill on a first-come basis.
Great Plains Food Bank celebrates and highlights each team’s impact during a welcome orientation before their scheduled packing time and a closing reception, with refreshments and opportunities for further engagement.
Great Plains Food Bank partners with 205 food pantries, shelters, and meal sites in 100+ communities across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, providing 12.6 million meals to more than 167,000 individuals in need annually.
Each participating group donates $2,000 to support the cost to “move the food” they pack at either the Fargo or Bismarck warehouse. The donations are used to support the costs of trucking the surplus food such as gas, vehicle maintenance, and distribution.
On average, 93% of food distributed by our network of food pantries comes from Great Plains Food Bank. Ninety-five percent of Great Plains Food Bank revenue is used to deliver programs and services to our neighbors in need.
Last year, our trucks traveled 217,775 miles to deliver food and essential goods across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. Packathon helps cover the transportation costs that keep those miles—and the food—moving.
It is easy! The first step is to register.
- Register at https://give.greatplainsfoodbank.org/packathon2026
- Select your preferred date. As a reminder, Packathon is April 21 and 22 in Bismarck and April 27 and 28 in Fargo. Please double check to make sure you register for the correct date based on your location.
- Registration is open until all slots are full. Teams are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.
- You will be required to provide contact information for a team captain. All information from Great Plains Food Bank regarding Packathon will go to this person.
- When Great Plains Food Bank receives your registration, you will receive an automated confirmation of your registration.
- The team captain is responsible for forming the eight-member team that will represent your company at Packathon. Great Plains Food Bank will be in contact with your team captain to provide a checklist of next steps, collect team member information, and communicate day-of expectations.
- Questions? Please contact Rebecca Knutson at rknutson@greatplainsfoodbank.org.
As a Packathon Partner, businesses are recognized as a community leader in North Dakota, committed to making a difference in our local communities. The Great Plains Food Bank deeply values the generous support of our business community joining in our shared mission to end hunger, together. On behalf of our neighbors in need of food assistance, Great Plains Food Bank extends gratitude to the following businesses for their additional financial support to help source and transport food across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota.
Premier Partners
