ATLANTA — Thousands of volunteers are packing meals in Atlanta Friday as part of a nationwide effort honoring the first responders and acts of kindness that followed the Sept. 11 attacks 25 years ago.

Volunteers are gathering at the College Football Hall of Fame from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pack thousands of meals for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Hands On Atlanta CEO Naomi Green said the effort brings people from different backgrounds together through a shared goal of helping others.

“That puts otherwise that would be strangers in a room together with a shared mission and a shared goal,” Green said.

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Green said the acts of service reflect how people responded to the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.

“This is how communities know how to respond in moments of crisis and tragedy,” Green said.

The Atlanta event is part of a nationwide effort by the nonprofit 9/11 Day to pack more than 630,000 meals for local food donation sites.

“And so often we see communities come together around food, food is so healing,” Green said.

The meal-packing event continues at the College Football Hall of Fame until 5 p.m. Friday.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & MaryRyan Howarth contributed to this story.