The inspiration for Meals from the Heartland began with a 2007 food packaging event held by Kids Against Hunger and sponsored by Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. The success of that event encouraged leaders to organize a community-wide event that would involve more volunteers who could package more meals to feed hungry children and families around the world. It was that leap of faith that brought Meals from the Heartland to Des Moines, Iowa, in September 2008, resulting in 12,000 volunteers who packaged over 4 million meals.