A Scoop of Rice Can Make a Big Difference

For my 12th birthday, I had a ball packing meals at Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit organization that helps to feed kids who fail to receive the nutrition they need. In fact, starvation is estimated to kill one person every four seconds. However, you can make a difference by volunteering at FMSC, where you can help assemble meals to be shipped to those in need.

It’s easy to get involved. First, reserve a time to volunteer at fmsc.org. When you arrive, employees wearing blue hairnets will guide you through orientation to ensure that the food follows FDA guidelines. Then, you will be taken to the packing room, where you choose a role. 

The scooper will pair up with another scooper to take the vitamin powder, dried vegetables, soy and rice, and place them in the bag. The weigher places the bag on a scale, adding and removing rice as needed. Sealers place the bag in a special machine to be sealed. After the meals are boxed, the crates are shipped around the world to fill the bellies of kids across the globe. 

A few things to know: jewelry is prohibited, participants should always wear closed-toed shoes, and hairnets and/or beardnets are supplied. Kids 5 and up can join in the fun and make a difference!

When I went there for my birthday, my family and I packed 82 boxes and 17,712 meals. That feeds 48 kids for an entire year! I hope you can do the same!