FOOD IN ACTION VOLUNTEER TRIP TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
I was looking to find a non-profit organization to volunteer at that involved helping children. A friend recommended Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). FMSC is a Christian non-profit founded in 1987 that addresses food insecurity and poor nutritional needs by providing nutritious Manna Pack meal formulas for malnourished children.
The MannaPacks are fortified rice soy protein meal that helps to supplement nutritional needs. Meals are donated around the world to FMSC food partners in the Americas, Carribean, and Africa.
The headquarters is located in Minnesota with additional locations in Illinois and Arizona. According to the website, last year FMSC shipping 288,374,664 meals to 80 partners in 58 countries around the world.
Thinking it would be a good team-building event for my staff and as a way to give back, we volunteered our time to pack meals.
Upon arriving in Eagan, we were given a presentation on the number of children experiencing hunger and how this organization has helped countries around the world.
Food in Action
Volunteers have the opportunity to see how hand-packed meals and are distributed in the Americas, Caribbean, and Africa in partnership with Praying Pelican Missions, throughout the year. FMSC hosts Food in Action Trips to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua.
Another way to support FMSC initiatives is by hosting mobile pack events fundraising or participate in a study abroad program.
In addition to packing meals, FMSC has an online marketplace an individual can purchase jewelry and clothing. One $12 short necklace made out of magazines provides 27 meals to children in Uganda.
When participating in a Food in Action trip of six days and five nights, you get the chance to meet with food distribution partners that deliver meals to schools, orphanages, and remote communities.
The individuals live in poor health and sanitation conditions who don’t have enough to eat.
The Work Towards Ending Child Hunger
I got to witness the wonderful work FMSC does in the Dominican Republic and get involved. During the 6-day trip, we traveled around the island delivering MannaPack meals.
We prayed with adults and played with children at schools, churches, and orphanages. I walked away from the experience humbled and blessed to have the means to volunteer my time to help end child hunger.
The places we visited, I was amazed at the living conditions. The individuals living below the poverty line were not phased by us being there. You could feel the strong connections to community and family that help each other to get through the good times and the bad.
I have never felt welcomed by people with gratitude and kindness of this magnitude. There were many words of thanks and genuine smiles.
I definitely plan on going another trip in the near future perhaps to Haiti or El Salvador.
To learn about additional domestic and international missions Praying Pelican Missions supports, click here.
Other ways to help the less fortunate and vulnerable is through acts of kindness by supporting non profit organizations.
Whether you are planning to volunteer or take a vacation in the Dominican Republic, it’s a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong such as an unexpected illness or injury.
World Nomads provides travel insurance to travelers from over 140 countries and is backed by reputable insurers and 24-hour assistance providers. You can click here to get a quote. Don’t forget to read the policy details to ensure that it’s right for you.
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