The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley is working to provide 2,500 meal kits to students and families in the area and is asking volunteers to help the cause, the organization stated in a news release.

Each kit contains the ingredients for a meal that feeds a family of six, along with information on local food pantries and meal sites offering additional support. United Way's Volunteer Center will be meeting for open volunteer hours on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to pack the meals. 

"We are so thankful to the (Jane F. Lamb Charitable Foundation) Lamb Foundation for making this possible," said Bob Hannon, president of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. "As the backbone organization in times of crisis, our United Way is committed to uniting resources and partners to meet urgent community needs. We're in constant contact with our nonprofit partners to ensure we can respond quickly and effectively."

Meals will not be distributed during the volunteer time on Veterans' Day; the organization is working directly with schools to get the food to students.

"The trustees of the Jane F. Lamb Charitable Foundation do not want to see children go without food," said James Sisek, Trustee of the Lamb Foundation. "It is important for us to support the most vulnerable in our Valley, and through this partnership with United Way, we know the children and their families will get what they need."

Volunteers are being asked to meet at United Way's Volunteer Center at 8133 Market Street.