Hunger kills one person every four seconds. In a world that faces severe malnutrition problems, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) stands as a beacon of hope, providing nutritious meals to children across the globe. FMSC is a Christian non-profit organization, and is 100% donor-funded, receiving no government aid. FMSC has grown from a small local initiative into a global force for good; its story is one of community action and a deep commitment to ending hunger. For communities across the United States, FMSC offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference while teaching valuable lessons in empathy, social responsibility, and teamwork.
Richard Proudfit founded FMSC in 1987, Proudfit was a Minnesota business man who heard God tell him to feed any starving children while on a missionary trip in Honduras. Thus, he developed a nutritious meal formula including vitamins, veggies, dehydrated soy, and rice. At FMSC, volunteers pack the formula in shipping bags. Volunteers can also label, seal, and load boxes.
Shalyin, a dedicated staff member at FMSC, is one of the many individuals who work behind the scenes to help make FMSC’s mission a reality. She works in the logistics of meal packing and spreads the organization’s message of hope through community service. Her experiences working here as a kid left a lasting impression. She says FMSC’s mission isn’t just to provide meals; it’s about giving hope.
“We want to pack hope for these kids,” Dougherty said, emphasizing the emotional and spiritual support that accompanies the food. “We want them to feel that when they’re getting these meals, people across the world are hoping for them to get better and are praying for them.”
Ryan Johnson, a volunteer at FMSC, learned about this organization from a close family friend and was interested in FMSC’s mission to provide life-saving meals to children in need. He regularly brings his children with him to ensure they learn the importance of compassion and community service.
“They should learn about giving to those who are less fortunate than us,” Johnson said. “They’re very lucky to live here, and we should give something back.”
Johnson wants to encourage others to join the cause.
“The more people that come out and do it, the more kids eat,” he said. “People should do more of this.”
For Metea sophomore Mady Kautzman, the opportunity to contribute to FMSC is a chance to connect with the core beliefs of the organization, especially in terms of global responsibility and giving back to those in need.
“The fact that they’re able to give back to so many underprivileged countries… I feel like we’re all very privileged,” Kautzman shared.
Kautzman feels that it’s important to help others who are less fortunate.
“Everyone had a lot of fun,” she said, emphasizing the energetic, upbeat atmosphere that defines FMSC’s volunteer events. “I think being able to give back to all these kids, especially with the holiday season coming up, is really special,” she said.
For Johnson and Kautzman, volunteering isn’t just about the impact on others—it’s also about creating an engaging event for everyone involved. The energetic environment at FMSC’s meal-packaging events makes it an enjoyable experience.
Getting involved in FMSC gives people the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the world. By volunteering their time to pack meals or fundraising to support FMSC’s efforts, we learn firsthand the power of empathy and social responsibility. We gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by children in other parts of the world, fostering a global perspective that extends beyond our classrooms. Participating in FMSC cultivates a sense of community among volunteers. By promoting compassion, FMSC teaches volunteers lessons that will benefit them throughout their lives.
