Feed My Starving Children unofficially opened the Libertyville office Wednesday, holding its first meal-packing session.

The Christian nonprofit works with volunteers to help combat hunger throughout the world. It relies on volunteers to help pack food and provide donations for its mission.

If you are interested in volunteering, here is some basic information:

Volunteering

Volunteers must register with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) on its website. You can register as an individual, family or group. Sign up is being taken now for December dates, according to the website.

What you can expect

Volunteers must go through a brief orientation explaining the mission and giving information about hunger. Then groups head to another area to start packing food during a two-hour shift.

Age requirements

The minimum age to volunteer is 5-years-old for individual volunteers. FMSC recommends groups of youth be 3^rd grade or older. Each age group has a child to adult ratio. For example, groups of schoolchildren in grades K-2 must have one adult to supervise each child. The ratio changes based on the age of the volunteers or groups.

Allergies

If you or anyone in your family or group has food allergies, check the website for ingredients in the food that you’ll be packing for FMSC. Anyone with severe food allergies or allergies advised not to pack, FMSC’s website states.

Jewelry policy

Volunteers must leave jewelry, including earrings, bracelets and rings with stones, at home. Wedding rings are permitted. There is no place to put jewelry at the sites and FMSC is not responsible for lost jewelry.

Clothing

There is no clothing requirement other than wear clean, comfortable items and closed-toed shoes.