Clarksville Feeds the World packs 600,000 meals for families in need

Thousands of volunteers filled the Dunn Center on Saturday to assemble and package meals for distribution by Convoy of Hope.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Thousands of volunteers gathered at the Dunn Center at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee on Saturday to participate in the second annual Clarksville Feeds the World event. The goal was to pack 600,000 meals to help families facing food insecurity both locally and around the world, with the completed packages being distributed by the nonprofit Convoy of Hope.

Why it matters

The Clarksville Feeds the World initiative aims to address food insecurity in the local community as well as globally, leveraging the power of community volunteers to make a tangible impact. The event's collaboration with Austin Peay State University Athletics has also helped drive participation and awareness.

The details

Volunteers worked in three shifts throughout the day, assembling raw ingredients, sealing meal bags and loading them for transport. Convoy of Hope trucks were on site to take the completed packages for distribution to countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala and the Congo. Around 3,300 volunteers were expected to participate across the three shifts, including local churches, businesses and community members.

  • The second annual Clarksville Feeds the World event took place on February 14, 2026.
  • Last year's inaugural event had a goal of packing 500,000 meals.

The players

Mayer Marks

The project manager for the Clarksville Feeds the World event.

Convoy of Hope

A nonprofit organization that has feeding programs internationally and will be distributing the meals packed at the event.

Austin Peay State University Athletics

The university's athletic department has been an integral collaborator in supporting the Clarksville Feeds the World initiative.

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What they’re saying

“We have a goal of packing 600,000 meals. These meals will go to the nonprofit Convoy of Hope, which has feeding programs internationally.”

— Mayer Marks, Project Manager (clarksvillenow.com)

“Their team has been incredible.”

— Mayer Marks, Project Manager (clarksvillenow.com)

What’s next

Organizers hope the Clarksville Feeds the World event will continue to grow and make a larger impact each year.

The takeaway

The Clarksville Feeds the World initiative demonstrates the power of community-driven efforts to address food insecurity, both locally and globally, through the mobilization of volunteers and strategic partnerships with organizations like Convoy of Hope and Austin Peay State University Athletics.