Approximately one year ago I discovered a non-profit organization called Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) where it's mission is to feed God's starving children hungry in body and spirit. Since 1987 they have packed 133 million meals and have distributed them to over 70 countries. I was first intrigued by the good work they do and how many people they reach with meals that cost only $.22 to produce. After looking further into organization, I was even more amazed that 92% of the proceeds go directly to the food program. Most non-profits take much more than 8% to go to fundraising/administration so I felt good about where my money would go. I donate a certain percentage each month to an organization/cause and most months that donation goes to FMSC because of the great work they do.
On March 25, 2012, I was able to participate in a beautiful service opportunities with FMSC, MobilePackTM . This is an event which allows people across the United States to pack life-giving meals. When this came to an Atlanta area church, my boyfriend and I knew we wanted to participate so we signed up immediately. Once we arrived we were given a hair-net and gloves and broken into stations to begin packing. The stations begin with a funnel, various boxes of food with different size scoopers, a scale, a bag sealer and a large box. The order of the food is chicken, veggies, soy and rice which you insert in to a plastic bag, don't worry, the food is dried and in powder form! It is very important the measurements are exactly right because they must all weigh under and over a certain amount or the larger box can not be shipped.
After these are weighed, they are placed under a bag sealer to keep the food from falling out and the expiration date is stamped on the outside. Lastly, the bag is placed in a large box to be shipped across the world to those who need it most. When they receive the bag, it is then boiled in a pot of water and feeds 5-7 people per bag.The packing process lasted about 2 hours and our entire group packed over 100,000 meals in a few days.
I volunteer with several organizations and do various things throughout the year, but this was an example where I felt "The Power of We" was so fitting. Everyone came together in our little corner of the world to help feed those in other countries who are literally starving to death. In America we are so fortunate to have programs where impoverished can get food. Other countries are left to fend for themselves and that is where we come in to play. This was a small act that took a few hours of our time but will reach so many and goes such a long way. You feel so fortunate as you are packing those meals because you have shelter, a full meal on the table when you get home and the opportunity to participate in an event like this. The work FMSC does literally revives people who were on the verge of dying and I am so thankful I was able to help in a small way. If you are interested in donating or learning about a MobilePack event in your area, visit www.fmsc.org.
For I was hungry and you gave me food...Matthew 25:35
Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9
