Naples residents pack manna packs to help feed children around the world. CARLIE ADMIRE/FLORIDA WEEKLY
The thought of a starving child in an impoverished developing country often triggers a desire in people to help.
Dozens of Southwest Florida residents did just that recently, along with others who drove as far as Miami to volunteer to assemble and package meals for the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children.
For the second year in a row, the nonprofit hosted the event over three days in late July. The Collier County event was held in staggered two-hour sessions at Center Point Community Church, 6590 Golden Gate Parkway.
“Some of these volunteers have been here at every meeting helping to pack the boxes,” said FMSC attorney Jon Cohn.
Bob Huebner, a Naples resident and volunteer as well as an active founding member of FMSC, is leading by example with his involvement in mobile events and numerous distribution sites across the country.
“Pack food and save lives,” said Huebner, who has been involved with the FMSC since 2010.
Every year, millions of children die worldwide from preventable causes. An estimated 6,200 deaths among children under 5 are due to malnutrition. FMSC was founded in 1987 with the mission to fight world hunger by providing healthy food assistance to children in countries in need such as Haiti, Poland, Romania, Uganda and others.
“It’s about the food and the volunteers; we do it ourselves,” says Huebner. “Over 90 percent of all donations are spent directly on food production. It’s always about the food.”
None of the FMSC officials receive a salary. They all work on a voluntary basis, so the money donated to the organization goes directly to buying more food, which is packaged and sent abroad.
FMSC creates specially prepared MannaPack meals developed by food scientists and nutrition experts. These packages contain an excellent source of protein, vitamins and carbohydrates, provide hydration and replenish nutrient loss.
“It’s an amazing formula,” Huebner said. “It contains soy, rice and freeze-dried vegetables. One packet contains six meals; you put them in boiling water and let them cook. The rice swells and the vegetables become soft. One spoonful contains enough nutrients to feed a child for a day.”
Huebner continued: “Some countries also add spices and local products.”
Volunteers of all ages at the Naples event measured and filled the product into funnels that were pushed into the MannaPack bags. The substance was then sealed, labelled and packed in boxes before being loaded onto pallets.
Huebner explained that other formulas are also being developed, including rice substitutes made from beans or sweet potatoes to meet cultural requirements. The FMSC also developed products for toddlers and infants, such as MannaPack Potato-W and Potato-D.
“Over 99 percent of the packaged food reaches its destination, which is incredible and a blessing. We ship from Miami in large cargo ships,” Huebner said. “Everything is made in the United States and the large bags of rice and soy are reusable, making them sustainable and environmentally friendly.”
Mannapack meals contain proteins, vegetables, soy and carbohydrates.
Individually, MannaPack weighs between 375 and 395 grams, with 35 bags fitting into each shipping box.
“This three-day package is just one of 70 packages distributed in cities across America in 2024,” Huebner said. “FMSC staff bring all the supplies and food that local church volunteers need to pack. They are then shipped free of charge to over 20,200 partners worldwide who can then distribute them. Missionaries in these countries pick up the packages and take them to safe areas, as food theft is popular due to its value. They go to orphanages, schools and churches.”
FMSC produces an impressive 440 million MannaPack meals each year, a significant portion of which are distributed to over 70 countries worldwide. Approximately 10 million MannaPack meals are delivered to conflict areas such as Ukraine, and another 100 million are distributed to children and families in Haiti.
Feed My Starving Children supports communities by sending meals to 70 different countries.
From 2022 to 2023, the charity reportedly fed over one million children. This movement has empowered and strengthened thousands of communities through the work and support of volunteers, donations, and FMSC partners.
Additionally, FMSC hosts over 200 mobile packing drives annually with the help of over a million volunteers, with notable cases collecting up to 1.25 million food packs at a single event. Earlier this year, the team celebrated its 10th anniversary with a packing drive that collected nearly 10 million meals in 10 days with over 28,000 volunteers, feeding over 26,000 children for a year.
“To make this possible, over 40 semi-trailers were brought in with ingredients and equipment,” says Amy Okeson, executive director of the FMSC.
At the Collier event, a dedicated group of volunteers packed 65 boxes, each containing 210 meals, in just two hours, enough to provide 38 children with a daily portion for a year.
The Feed My Starving Children Foundation estimates that it feeds over one million children each year.
“We plan to reach our goal of 140,000 food packages here in Naples this week, which will feed over 380 children every day for a year,” said Huebner.
Some of the volunteers came from far away to help.
“We came here from Coral Gables to help,” said Rev. Cesar Villafana of the Wesley Hispanic Global Methodist Church in Miami.
Through mobile events, FMSC showcases artisan creations from the communities it serves, supporting over 2,000 artisans worldwide. The marketplace offers a unique shopping experience that also benefits those in need. Handcrafted treasures include woven toys from Peru, mugs and cutting boards from Haiti, and beautiful jewelry and baskets, each priced to indicate how many meals it will provide. Every purchase supports FMSC’s mission, as all proceeds go toward providing meals to people facing hunger around the world.
The Hyatt House in Naples offered free accommodations to traveling FMSC team members and volunteered to help pack meals.
“This is something we do and we have participated in this event in the past,” Hyatt House staff said.
FMSC accepts donations through its website. The numbers show the number of meals per dollar. A generous donation of $106 can feed a child for a year, $424 can feed a family, and $2,255 can feed an entire school class for a year.
The FMSC team is looking to expand pack and share events across Florida, particularly in Naples and surrounding cities. Their goal is to create more volunteer opportunities and make a meaningful impact on the community with every single shovel.
To further the mission of fighting child hunger worldwide, FMSC is planning another trip to Southwest Florida this November with a packing event in Bonita Springs.
To register to volunteer or to donate, visit fmsc.org. ¦
