SAN DIEGO — Joyful. Fun. Faithful.
That’s how Deacon Mike Daniels describes the Million Meal Event, which will be held for the fourth time on Saturday, June 14, at Cathedral Catholic High School.
“This shows that religion doesn’t have to be sad or boring,” he said in an interview.
“I’m happy to be part of something that’s such a joyful way of giving.”
Deacon Daniels, from St. Brigid Parish, leads a team of the diocese’s deacons and lay leaders who organize the event. They collaborate with the nonprofit organization Kids Around the World.
The event uses volunteers — about 3,000 of them. Most work in assembly lines scooping nutritious grains and vitamins and packing them into bags, while others shuttle from table to table re-stocking materials or providing other support.
The goal is to pack 1 million meals during two shifts. Half of the meals will be distributed to families living in extreme poverty in Tijuana, and the other half will be delivered to a sprawling school for poor children in Zambia.
Sound exhausting? Dreary even?
Nothing could be further from the truth. With a DJ spinning popular tunes, the event is one big party with 1,500 or so volunteers on hand for each two-hour shift. There are members of parishes, groups, schools or families, working to the beat of the music, often singing along. Everyone can help, including small children who help decorate the boxes for the meals.
“This is an event where the grandparents, parents and the kids can all participate and work together to accomplish something,” the deacon said. “They are happy to be part of a solution.”
The deacons pound a loud drum each time a milestone is reached on the way to the million meals, as volunteers erupt in cheers.
In past years, the volunteers pack the meals so fast — and are having such fun — that they don’t want to quit when their shift ends.
The raw materials for the event cost $300,000, which the deacons are working to raise. They are asking for donations from individuals, as well as parishes and groups. Deacon Daniels acknowledges that it’s a sacrifice to make a donation in these uncertain economic times, yet hopes to be able to raise funds enough to pack the million meals.
Miguel Cuén and his family turned out for last year’s event. The previous year, the family, from St. Michael’s Parish in Paradise Hills had packed meals. In 2024, they volunteered to distribute the raw materials to the tables.
“This is a way to help many people at once,” Cuén said.
Omar Castro and his wife, from St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carlsbad, also had participated in previous years.
“We get to meet new people and feed the less fortunate,” he said as he was leaving last year’s event.
Around 45 faithful from The Immaculata Parish participated last year as a group. Christina José was one of them.
“I’m so glad we did this again this year,” she said as she was leaving. “We always have fun.”
The diocese’s deacons come together to live out their mission to serve the needy by coordinating this annual event, in collaboration with Catholic Charities.
Participating is a way to “live the Gospel by feeding the hungry,” the deacon said, citing Matthew 25:35.
“So many of us are frustrated trying to find ways we can do this,” he said. “This event is such a blessing because it’s easy, and it’s fun, and it’s doing good work.”
Million Meal Event
Family-friendly event organized by the diocese’s deacons on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Cathedral Catholic High School.
Volunteers are needed for shifts to pack meals: 8:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m., and for clean-up 3-5 p.m.
To sign up to volunteer or to make a donation, visit ccdsd.org/million-meals-event.
For information, contact Deacon Daniels at (858) 361-1240 or deaconmike@saintbrigidparish.org.
