News

November 20–22, 2025

Last week, our team had the opportunity to attend the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) in Atlanta, Georgia—and what an incredible experience it was! As a nonprofit dedicated to serving communities and connecting people with hands-on ways to make a difference, ICOM offered the perfect environment to meet others who share the same passion.

Over the course of three full days, we were able to network with like-minded nonprofits, share our mission with attendees, and offer samples to individuals and churches interested in possibly hosting a meal-packing event in their own towns. The response was encouraging, and we were excited to see so many people eager to learn more about how they can get involved.

Our on-site team for the weekend included board member John, his daughter Nikki, and our event and marketing coordinator. Together, they spent 33 hours at the event connecting with attendees, answering questions, and—of course—sharing plenty of smiles and laughter.

While JJ and Tanner couldn’t be there in person, their life-sized cardboard cutouts certainly made an appearance! They brought countless smiles (and a few funny scares) as people did double-takes thinking they were real. A special shout-out to the printing company—they’ll definitely be getting a great review for the excellent quality.

For our very first time at ICOM, we consider the experience a huge success. With 650 booths and 2,500 attendees, the event was full of energy, inspiration, and opportunities to learn from other organizations doing incredible work around the world.

We left Atlanta feeling grateful, encouraged, and excited for the possibilities ahead. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth—we look forward to staying connected and hopefully partnering with many of you in the future!

We are excited to share some incredible news from Food for Kidz! Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and donors, we successfully helped load and ship two full containers of meals and essential supplies to support families affected by Hurricane Melissa.

This effort was truly a community-wide collaboration. The meals included in this shipment were packed by our amazing partners at the following events:

• Bethel Lutheran Church – Rochester

• Sleepy Eye

• Many Hands Many Meals

In addition, we teamed up with Somebody Cares Baltimore, whose partnership helped make this relief project possible. Together, we’re ensuring that families impacted by the storm receive the nourishment and support they need during this challenging time.

This shipment was sent in response to Hurricane Melissa, helping provide immediate support to communities affected by the storm. When organizations join forces, the impact grows exponentially — and this collaboration certainly proved that.

Many Hands Many Meals + Starland + Somebody Cares + Food for Kidz = Big Impact.

At Food for Kidz, we are continually inspired by the generosity, teamwork, and compassion shown by our volunteers and partners. Your commitment allows us to continue delivering hope, one meal at a time.

💙 Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of families who need it most. 💙

On November 2, 2025, the community of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota came together with Food for Kidz for a truly inspiring food-packing event — one filled with teamwork, compassion, and impact that will stretch far beyond our local borders.

With the help of 165 dedicated volunteers, we packed 80,000 nutritious meals — and in doing so, celebrated an incredible milestone: our 1.5 millionth meal packed! 🎉

A Community Effort to Remember

This remarkable day was made possible thanks to the support and hospitality of so many caring hands and hearts.
We extend our deepest gratitude to  the Knights of Columbus for hosting and leading this successful event. A special thanks also goes to the Sleepy Eye Convention Center for providing the perfect space to bring our community together in service.

Volunteers came from near and far — including three 4-H groups, a local church group, FFA students, and members of the Honor Society — all eager to roll up their sleeves, make new connections, and make a difference. Everyone was so organized, quick to lend a helping hand, and ready to jump in wherever needed — a true reflection of the generous spirit that defines this community.

And as if the day couldn’t get any better — volunteers even got to cheer on the Vikings’ victory while packing meals! 🏈💜 Talk about impressive multitasking — feeding the hungry and celebrating a Minnesota win!

Meals That Travel with Purpose

Of the 80,000 meals packed:

• 7,000 meals will stay right here in our community to support the Brown County Food Shelf.

• 73,000 meals will be loaded this week onto a bus heading to Florida, and by the end of the week, they’ll be on a plane bound for Jamaica to aid Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.

Every box packed represents more than just food — it’s hope, care, and compassion sent from Sleepy Eye to families in need both near and far.

Gratitude Beyond Words

Food for Kidz is so grateful for every volunteer, sponsor, and partner who helped make this event a success. Your generosity and hard work turned an ordinary day into an extraordinary moment of service.

Together, we’re proving that when communities come together with purpose, amazing things happen — and lives are changed, one meal at a time. 💛

On November 1, 2025, our community came together for an unforgettable Food Packing Event that reminded us what’s possible when people unite in service and compassion.

With the help of hundreds of incredible volunteers, we packed an astounding 170,000 meals of oatmeal to support local food banks and provide relief to Jamaica as the country recovers from the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa. Each meal represents hope, nourishment, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow for those in need.

A Community United in Service

This impactful event was graciously hosted by Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. We’re deeply grateful to our generous sponsor churches — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — for coming together in faith and action to make this day possible.

The energy and enthusiasm throughout the day were truly inspiring.

• 💛 We met young men and women eager to serve, many volunteering for the first time through their Key Clubs — and already planning to return next year.

• 👨‍👩‍👧 We saw families serving side by side, including grandparents who shared that their grandkids ask about this event all year long because they look forward to it so much.

• 

• 🙌 And a special highlight: Bethel Lutheran Rochester achieved a record-breaking milestone by packing 84,160 meals in just two hours — a personal best and a powerful testament to what dedicated volunteers can accomplish together.

Changing Lives, One Meal at a Time

Every bag of oatmeal packed during this event represents more than just a meal — it represents hope, love, and the power of community in action. We are so proud of everyone who gave their time, energy, and heart to make a difference.

To every volunteer, donor, and partner: thank you. Your generosity continues to inspire us and brings life-changing impact to children and families both locally and abroad.

Together, we’re proving that when compassion meets action, lives are changed — one meal at a time. 💛

Once again, Waunakee, Wisconsin showed what dedication, organization, and community spirit can do! This year’s Food for Kidz meal-packing event ran like a well-oiled machine, filled with teamwork, joy, and purpose.

A Well-Organized Operation

The Waunakee team are true veterans — their planning and monthly meetings clearly paid off. From the moment volunteers arrived, everything ran smoothly. The sight of green (staff) and orange (muscle) shirts filled the room, each color representing a vital role in making the day a success. Everyone wore their shirts — and their hearts — with pride.

This event continues to thrive thanks to the dedication and leadership of so many. Over the last couple of years, there has been a careful transition of leadership from longtime organizers Mick and Jeanie Holm to Jamie Griffin. Jamie has been stepping into this role gradually, and her leadership has blended seamlessly with the guidance and experience of Mick and Jeanie, ensuring the event continues to run smoothly and successfully.

A Community That Shows Up

It’s clear that Waunakee loves to help others. Every volunteer slot was filled — with even a wait list of people eager to join in! From fundraising and table sponsors to meal packers of all ages, the entire community came together once again to make a difference.

The energy was contagious — upbeat music from the DJ kept spirits high, and a photographer captured all the smiles and teamwork throughout the day. It was a true celebration of service and community.

Efficiency in Action

Behind the scenes, the organization was just as impressive. A huge shoutout to John Gaska for his incredible data management and logistics — tracking pallet counts in real-time and providing instant feedback on the day’s progress. This level of organization shows why the Waunakee event runs so smoothly year after year.

By the end of the day, a full truckload of meals was ready to head out to Orphan Grain Train, part of Food for Kidz’s ongoing partnership to deliver food to those in need. The remaining meals will go to Feed My Lambs and local food pantries, ensuring both global and local impact.

Feed My Lambs Joins the Effort

Our friends from Feed My Lambs proudly packed 6,048 meals during their two-hour shift — what an incredible accomplishment! This team brought passion and heart to every step, living out the mission of feeding children with love and care.

Capturing and Sharing the Moment

Stay tuned — there’s amazing drone footage coming soon that will showcase the incredible teamwork and spirit of the day! 🚁

We also want to thank all the Waunakee volunteers who shared photos and posts on social media. Your enthusiasm and stories help spread awareness and inspire others to join our mission of feeding children around the world. Every post helps further our cause — and every meal packed brings hope to another child.

Looking Ahead

Waunakee, you’ve done it again. Your event is a model of efficiency, heart, and community spirit. We can’t wait to see what next year brings…
Will there be another 500,000 meal challenge? We wouldn’t be surprised! 💪

From all of us at Food for Kidz, thank you, Waunakee, for your continued dedication and for showing what can happen when a community comes together to serve others. You didn’t just pack meals — you packed hope. 💛

What a wonderful day in Stoughton, Wisconsin! On a beautiful October Saturday, the Stoughton Fire Hall was filled with energy, laughter, and a shared purpose — helping kids around the world through Food for Kidz.

Community Coming Together

A huge thank you goes out to the Stoughton Rotary Club for hosting this amazing event, with special appreciation to Tom Fendrick, our incredible event coordinator. Tom truly went above and beyond — he was the first one to arrive and the last to leave, making sure every detail was just right. His leadership and dedication made this event such a success!

An Incredible Impact

Thanks to the amazing efforts of all our volunteers, we packed an astounding 153,576 meals!
Volunteers of all ages came together — from 4-H clubs and Girl Scouts to churches, hospitals, and sports teams including football players, dancers, and a youth soccer team that stopped by to help before their big game. What a great way to spend a Saturday — kids helping kids!

We even had our tiniest helper of the day — a baby wrapped snugly in her mother’s carrier. She may have been our youngest volunteer ever, but she represented the caring spirit of everyone who showed up to serve.

Stoughton’s Heart Shines Bright

The atmosphere at the fire hall was filled with smiles, teamwork, and meaningful conversations. Stoughton, you not only brought your work ethic, but also your heart. You could truly feel the compassion and commitment in every box packed.

Our corporate Food for Kidz team can’t wait to return — especially to watch the dancers who showed off their amazing skills between shifts! It was such a joy to see so many people giving their time and energy to make a difference.

A Special Connection with Haiti

We were also honored to welcome a special guest from Feed My Lambs, who joined us in packing meals that will be sent to Haiti to support children at the Feed My Lambs orphanage.
Please keep them in your prayers, as the situation in Haiti has become dangerous — gangs have moved into the area, taking over homes and trying to control neighborhoods. For the safety of the children, the orphanage has had to relocate. Your prayers, support and love mean more than ever during this challenging time.

Capturing the Day

If you noticed cameras during the event, that’s because we had a videographer on-site! We’ll be sharing a highlight video soon that captures the smiles, teamwork, and incredible spirit of the day. Thank you for your cooperation and enthusiasm during filming — we can’t wait for you to see it!

Thank You, Stoughton!

From all of us at Food for Kidz, thank you for showing what community, compassion, and kindness look like in action. You didn’t just pack meals — you packed hope.
We are so proud of what we accomplished together and look forward to seeing you again next year!