Volunteers in Atlanta packed 25,000 care packages for active-duty service members, setting a world record in the process. The assembly-line effort brought volunteers together for a record-breaking push.
Coca-Cola took part in the care-kit packing event, which reached 25,000 packages. Separately, the USO, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit rather than a government agency, says on its website that its care packages are meant for troops who are deploying, currently deployed, or stationed overseas, and that each kit typically includes essential toiletry items and snack foods, per uso.org.
In a separate announcement, the USO named country singer and Army veteran Craig Morgan its newest Global Ambassador and said he was scheduled to perform live at the America250 x USO Celebration of Service on Veterans Day at Coca-Cola's Atlanta office campus.
A Pattern of Big Atlanta Volunteer Pushes
This isn't the first time Atlanta has turned out in force for a charitable packing marathon. The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm welcomed 6,000 volunteers to State Farm Arena for the 2024 Million Meal Pack initiative, where participants packed 1,050,336 meals in 450 minutes, setting a record time for that event, according to Metro Atlanta CEO. Those meals were distributed across the metro area with operational support from U.S. Hunger.
The same outlet reported that earlier Million Meal Pack events held in 2019, 2022, and 2023 collectively rallied more than 15,000 volunteers who packed more than 3.1 million meals for people facing food insecurity. Atlanta's volunteer base has a track record of showing up for large-scale packing efforts.
Coca-Cola's Long-Running USO Ties
Coca-Cola's involvement in military care packages isn't new either. The company has said it holds an annual USO care-package stuffing party on November 13, during which hundreds of Coca-Cola associates prepare more than 10,000 packages, according to a release from The Coca-Cola Company.
The Atlanta event adds to the city's record of large-scale volunteer packing efforts, with 25,000 care packages packed and a world record set.
