Got 2 hours? Ages 5 & up can help Feed My Starving Children!

There's never enough time in a day, right?  The day I was scheduled to volunteer with the Naperville Junior Woman's Club at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora, I was having one of 'those days'... "How am I going to get all my work done today? Yikes, look at what a disaster our house is!  How can I possibly volunteer for 2 whole hours TODAY of all days?!"

Yes, I was full of excuses.  But, I also knew that I was going to go no matter what.

Our 2-hour food-packing shift at the Feed My Starving Children facility in Aurora, IL (located in an industrial park near the Fox Valley Mall) ran like a well-oiled machine.  No time for excuses here - they know exactly what to do with each group of volunteers, who all sign-up in advance online.  It's time to Feed My Starving Children! 

FSMC is a non-profit, Christian organization "committed to feeding God's children hungy in body and spirit.  The approach is simple:  children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and the meals are shipped to food distribution partners in nearly 70 countries around the world."

After signing in for our 12-2 p.m. Tuesday shift, we each grabbed a fashionable hair net, removed all jewelry, and listened to the quick (but POWERFUL), mandatory volunteer orientation.  18,000 children die each day from hunger.  Horrifying.  Then, we were off to the food-packing work stations, our mission clear. 

The job of each 2-hour shift? To pack and prepare Manna Rice Food Packs, their solution to Feed My Starving Children.  Each easy to transport and cook pack consists of rice, soy nuggets (for protein), vitamins, minerals, a vegetarian flavoring, and dehydrated vegetables.  Every volunteer has a specific task, whether it was adding ingredients, measuring, machine-sealing bags, or preparing sealed bags for shipment.  There wasn't much opportunity for chatting (we were busy and focused!), but we all enjoyed the variety of sing-along-friendly tunes played.

Looking for an opportunity to volunteer as a family?  I was surprised to learn that the minimum age for FMSC is just 5 years old!  That means I can get my husband, 5 year old daughter, and 7 year old son involved, which is great! It's awe-inspiring how much you can accomplish in just 2 hours.  There are plenty of opportunities for scout, school, and church groups as well.  Evening and Saturday food-packing shifts are also available, but they do fill up fast.  All volunteer shifts must be scheduled in advance, but it's easy to do online.

When our shift was over, we cleaned and prepped ingredients for the next shift.  And, we even got to sample the prepared Manna Rice, was was heartier (and better, I admit!) tasting than I expected.  There's an in-facility MarketPlace to purchase FMSC apparel, handmade items, and Nicaraguan coffee. Proceeds help Feed (More) Starving Children!

Opportunities like this are just one reason I joined the philanthropic ladies of the Naperville Junior Woman's Club.  This facility is so close to our home, and yet I had no idea it even existed - thanks NJWC!

For more information on the Aurora Feed My Starving Children location, including volunteer registration information and other ways you can help, please visit http://www.fmsc.org/volunteer