November and December are right around the corner—a season known for giving, gratitude, and coming together as a community. Many companies embrace this spirit through charitable team building activities and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, finding ways to make a difference while connecting their teams. And while these efforts are always appreciated, not every activity fully engages participants or moves the needle in a meaningful way. Here’s a look at what truly makes charitable team building meaningful—and why it matters.
Charitable Classics—Do They Deliver?
In the team building world, there are plenty of popular charitable options. Think bike builds, Build-A-Bears, or packing backpacks with personal care items for military members or school supplies for children. At these events, participants are often focused on completing the task in a structured way. For some, teamwork comes naturally and adds to the experience, but for others, it can feel a bit forced—especially if they don’t personally connect with the cause.
Beyond that, even with the best intentions, the scope of impact can feel limited. Volunteers may spend an hour or two assembling items or filling backpacks, and while their efforts are meaningful, it can be hard to see how their work translates into a real, lasting difference for those being helped. The point is this: many participants leave these customary charitable team building activities feeling like they’ve done something nice, checked a box, and are ready to move on—without a true sense of accomplishment or deeper team connection.
Beyond Good Intentions: Finding the Right Way to Give Back
At Grin Events, we’ve intentionally stayed away from including traditional give-back activities in our lineup. While we fully support the idea, we’ve always believed the experiences we offer should create both genuine connection and tangible results. If a client is looking for an event focused entirely on charitable impact, we’re happy to point them toward a trusted partner who can provide it.
However, our skepticism recently shifted after our owner, John, was introduced to Chris Romero from The Outreach Program. The Outreach Program organizes meal-packing events where volunteers assemble thousands of high-protein meals in well-organized assembly lines, providing nutritious support to local feeding organizations. Intrigued, John attended one firsthand—and by the end, he was completely blown away.
From the moment the volunteers stepped up to the assembly lines, the energy was contagious. Teams worked together seamlessly, moving quickly through the process of measuring, mixing, and packaging ingredients. Music played in the background, a bit of friendly competition kept spirits high, and every volunteer could see the immediate results of their efforts stacked neatly on pallets—ready to reach local communities in need. Witnessing the hands-on, well-organized process, John could see how this experience fostered both accomplishment and connection, perfectly aligning with the kind of team building experiences Grin Events aims to provide. It was the charitable experience we had always wanted to offer, but didn’t know existed.
Spotlight: The Outreach Program
After seeing The Outreach Program in action, John knew it was something worth sharing. Their approach to charitable team building is refreshingly simple, incredibly organized, fun, and—most importantly—makes a real impact.
The Outreach Program develops nutritious, shelf-stable meals in partnership with Iowa State University’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Each recipe—like Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese, Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce, and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal—is easy to prepare, packed with essential protein, vitamins, and nutrients, and designed to feed six people per meal.
For each event, The Outreach Program brings all the ingredients, supplies, and equipment to the host’s location—whether it’s a gym, corporate office, or community center. With teamwork and efficiency, a group of 30 to 50 volunteers can pack around 10,000 meals in just a few hours. The finished meals are then distributed to local food banks and food pantries, ensuring the impact directly benefits the local community.
The cost to host a meal packing event is just 42 cents per meal, plus the cost of shipping the dry ingredients from their Iowa warehouse to San Diego. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all donations are tax deductible. It doesn’t get easier—or more rewarding—to give back, and we encourage any team looking for a meaningful charitable experience to consider connecting with the Outreach Program.
Ready, Set, Give! Your Team's Next Big Impact
Charitable team building done right is more than a seasonal checkbox—it’s an opportunity to make a real difference while bringing your team together. If you’re looking for a way to give back this season, we highly encourage you to reach out to Chris and The Outreach Program. And if you’d like, Grin Events can help you connect and get the relationship started.
After all, there’s nothing more rewarding than giving back thoughtfully—and seeing your team truly make an impact in the process. We also offer a charitable option through our customizable Game Show, where participants can play to win for the charity of their choice—available in-person or virtually.
Here’s to a season of giving and making a difference—Grin Events is happy to help your team take the first step. Contact us today!
