SPI & NAIMUN: Cultivating Future Leaders Through Seed Packing

This February, we had the incredible honor of being the philanthropic partner for NAIMUN (North American Invitational Model United Nations), the world’s largest student-run Model UN conference, hosted by Georgetown University at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. As NAIMUN’s selected philanthropic partner, we had a unique opportunity to engage with hundreds of young leaders from around the globe—and make a tangible impact through their flagship Social Justice Event: a hands-on seed packing experience.

Seed Packing: A Simple Act with a Big Impact

Seed packing events are a fun and engaging activity that brings people together and support our mission to increase fresh food access. The concept is simple but powerful: volunteers scoop vegetable seeds into packets, seal them up, and prepare them for distribution. These seeds then go to communities and organizations that plant them to grow food, helping to alleviate food insecurity and strengthen local food systems.

Whenever possible, we connect seed packing events to local partners, ensuring  the participants can see the direct impact of their efforts. For NAIMUN, that meant providing seeds to Washington, D.C.-area organizations working to build food access equity in underserved communities. This approach fosters a deeper sense of connection and often leads to new partnerships that allow us to continue supporting community gardens long after the event is over.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Changemakers

Our Programs and Partnerships Director, Georgia, attended the conference, spending time at NAIMUN’s philanthropy table to engage with delegates on global food security issues and SPI’s work. NAIMUN is dedicated to shaping the leaders of tomorrow, and it was inspiring to see so many students eager to learn about real-world solutions for food access, sustainability, and community empowerment.

At the Social Justice Event, dozens of delegates and educators rolled up their sleeves to pack seeds, knowing their efforts would help reduce hunger and improve nutrition for families in need. It was a perfect example of how small actions—like packaging seed—can ripple outward to create meaningful change.

A Generous Commitment to Food Security

Beyond participating in the seed packing event, NAIMUN delegates also demonstrated their commitment to food security through generous fundraising. As a result of this partnership, NAIMUN raised an incredible $17,000 to support SPI’s programs in 2025! This funding will help provide seeds, resources, and training to farmers, women’s groups, youth, children, and frontline communities worldwide.

We are deeply grateful to NAIMUN for their generosity, their enthusiasm, and their dedication to making a difference. 

Get Involved: Host Your Own Seed Packing Event

Are you looking for a meaningful way to bring your group together while making a direct impact on food access in your community? Hosting a seed packing event is a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience—perfect for schools, corporate teams, faith groups, and more. Find out more on our Seed Packing Events webpage.

Reach out to us at getinvolved@seedprograms.org, and together we can plant the seeds for a healthier, more food-secure world!