FOLLOW US   

Food For Kidz

Uncategorized

Stewartville Volunteers Pack 113,280 Meals During Food for Kidz and Kiwanis One Day of Service

by

The Stewartville community came together on April 11 for an incredible day of service, packing 113,280 meals for children and families in Haiti and Honduras during the annual Food for Kidz meal-packing event.

As part of the Kiwanis One Day of Service, 259 volunteers dedicated their time and energy to help fight hunger. Families, friends, youth groups, Kiwanis members, and community volunteers worked side by side throughout the event, demonstrating the power of service and community collaboration.

The event was organized by the Stewartville Kiwanis Club, whose leadership helped bring together volunteers and supporters from across the region. Members of the Sunrisers Kiwanis Club of Rochester also participated, joining the effort to make a meaningful impact for families facing food insecurity.

One of the most inspiring parts of the day was seeing so many young volunteers involved. Scouts from Pack 156 and other youth participants worked alongside adults, showing that making a difference has no age limit. Their enthusiasm and willingness to serve reflected the spirit of the event and the importance of teaching the next generation about compassion, generosity, and community service.

The success of the event was made possible not only by the volunteers who packed meals but also by the generous support of local businesses, organizations, and individuals who helped fund the ingredients needed to package the food.

Stewartville Kiwanis Club and    Food for Kidz extends sincere gratitude to:

  • First Farmers & Merchants Bank
  • Benike Construction
  • Kwik Trip
  • Hy-Vee
  • Old National Bank
  • Casey’s
  • Cabin Coffee
  • Zion Lutheran Church
  • Lions Club
  • Fareway
  • Root River Dental
  • American Legion
  • Sportsman’s Club

Their financial support, along with donations from local individuals and multiple Kiwanis clubs, helped make it possible to provide more than 113,000 meals for communities in need.

What was accomplished in a single day will have a lasting impact. Every meal packed represents hope, nourishment, and the compassion of a community willing to come together to help others. Through the efforts of 259 volunteers and the generosity of local supporters, thousands of children and families in Haiti and Honduras will receive nutritious meals and the encouragement that comes from knowing people care.

The Stewartville Food for Kidz event serves as a powerful reminder of what can happen when businesses, service organizations, churches, families, and volunteers unite around a common purpose. Together, they packed 113,280 meals and demonstrated that even a single day of service can make a difference that reaches around the world.

Bernadotte Lutheran Church Packs 18,576 Meals at Annual Food for Kidz Event

by

Bernadotte Lutheran Church celebrated a successful Food for Kidz Mission Sunday on April 12, bringing together volunteers of all ages for a day of service, fellowship, and community impact.

The annual meal-packing event welcomed 56 volunteers, including members of Bernadotte Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church, extended family members, friends, and even Lafayette royalty. United by a common goal, participants worked together to help provide nutritious meals for children and families facing food insecurity both in the United States and around the world.

Using six assembly lines, volunteers packed an impressive 18,576 meals—approximately 1,000 more meals than were packed during last year’s event. The accomplishment reflects the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone who participated.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing volunteers from multiple generations working side by side. From experienced adults to young children eager to help, everyone found a way to contribute. Some of the youngest volunteers proudly took on the task of moving heavy boxes onto carts to be loaded onto the truck, demonstrating that every helping hand made a difference.

In addition to packing meals, the event raised $3,460 to support the mission of Food for Kidz. These funds will help further the organization’s efforts to provide nutritious meals to communities in need and extend the impact of the volunteers’ work beyond the packing room.

The day was about more than just packing meals. It was also an opportunity for fellowship and connection. Volunteers enjoyed visiting while they worked, creating an atmosphere filled with teamwork, laughter, and shared purpose. Following the meal-packing effort, participants gathered for a song, a short devotion, and a meal of pizza and pop to celebrate a successful day of service.

 

Mission Sunday once again demonstrated the power of a community coming together to make a difference. Through the efforts of 56 dedicated volunteers, 18,576 meals will help bring hope and nourishment to children and families near and far. Food for Kidz is grateful for the generosity, energy, and compassion shown by everyone who helped make the event such a success.

One Hundred for the Hungry: Food for Kidz 100-Mile Mission

by

At Food for Kidz, we are continually inspired by individuals who turn bold personal goals into meaningful impact for others. The “One Hundred for the Hungry” campaign is a powerful example of that mission in action—uniting endurance athletics, family legacy, community generosity, and a shared commitment to feeding children in need.

The campaign was launched by Willmar, Minnesota dentist and endurance athlete, Dr. Trent Neisen, as part of his participation in the highly competitive Go One More Ultra held at Bare Ranch in Austin, Texas on April 10, 2026.

A Bold Challenge Begins

When Dr. Neisen was selected as one of only 150 runners out of nearly 9,000 applicants, he saw an opportunity for something far beyond competition. He launched “100 for the Hungry” with a clear and ambitious goal:

Run 100 miles to raise support for Food for Kidz.

In his announcement, he shared:

“BIG GOAL ALERT — I’M GONNA RUN 100 MILES TO RAISE MONEY FOR FOOD FOR KIDZ.”

“I’m calling this campaign ‘100 For The Hungry.’ My goal is to run 100 miles at the event and raise money for Food for Kidz.”

He invited others to join him by donating, volunteering, and spreading the word—transforming a personal endurance challenge into a collective mission of generosity.

A Family Legacy of Service

What makes this story especially meaningful is the deep family connection behind it.

Dr. Neisen’s father is the founder of Food for Kidz, and this campaign represents more than a fundraising effort—it reflects a shared family commitment to serving others. What began as a vision to feed children around the world has grown into a multi-generational mission, carried forward through both global outreach and local action.

In many ways, “100 for the Hungry” became a bridge between that legacy and the next generation of impact—honoring the work of his family while actively continuing it through hands-on service and endurance-driven purpose.

It is a powerful reminder that when families serve together, the impact multiplies—reaching not only their own community, but children and families across the globe.

Pushing Through the Impossible

On race day, the challenge quickly became one of endurance, strategy, and mental resilience.

The first 12 hours were energized and motivating, but as the race continued into the night and early morning, the difficulty intensified. Fatigue set in, and even simple movement required deep focus and determination.

At one point, Dr. Neisen had to adjust his approach—choosing efficiency over comfort. Instead of returning to camp between laps, he remained near the starting line with his crew, conserving time and continuing forward step by step.

He described breaking the race down into small, manageable goals—counting steps and adjusting pace just to keep moving forward.

After 24 hours, 24 laps, and 100 miles, he achieved what he set out to do.

Turning Miles Into Meals

The impact of the “100 for the Hungry” campaign extended far beyond the finish line.

Through donations and community support, the campaign raised over $6,800, which Dr. Neisen generously matched. Shortly after, the effort came full circle at a Food for Kidz food packaging event in Willmar, Minnesota on April 18, 2026.

There, volunteers from the community came together to pack over 114,000 oatmeal meals for children and families in need.

What began as a personal challenge on a race course became a community-wide movement of generosity, service, and impact—supporting families locally while also helping families across the world.

A Mission Accomplished

From a bold idea to a 100-mile endurance test to thousands of meals packed for those in need, the “100 for the Hungry” campaign demonstrates the incredible ripple effect of purpose-driven action.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Neisen, his family, the Willmar community, and everyone who supported this initiative. Your commitment has helped bring nourishment, hope, and relief to children around the world.

This story is especially meaningful as it reflects something at the heart of Food for Kidz: families serving together to help other families. When that happens, the impact doesn’t just grow—it multiplies.

Thank you for showing what is possible when determination meets compassion—and when a family legacy becomes a global mission.   

A Full-Circle Moment: Food for Kidz and Lifesaving Impact in Guatemala

by

At Food for Kidz, we are continually reminded that the work we do reaches far beyond meals and supplies—it creates lasting impact in communities around the world.

Recently, our Marketing & Event Coordinator, Nikki, traveled on a mission trip to Guatemala, where she is currently providing speech therapy services at the hospital in San Lucas Tolimán. Her time there has been filled with meaningful moments of service, connection, and perspective.

 

During her visit to the hospital, Nikki experienced a powerful and unexpected moment of connection to a larger story of impact. She noticed the ambulance currently in service at the hospital—a vehicle that was previously helped by Feeding Children International of Stewart to make its purchase possible.

Before this ambulance was donated, the hospital had no emergency transport available for patients in critical need. Today, that very ambulance continues to serve the community—and during Nikki’s visit, it was even used to bring in a patient in need of urgent care.

For Nikki, it was a meaningful intersection of two parts of her world—her hands-on mission work in Guatemala and the broader humanitarian efforts supported by organizations committed to serving vulnerable communities. Seeing the ambulance actively in use was a powerful reminder that these efforts are not just moments in time, but lasting resources that continue to save and improve lives long after they are delivered.

Stories like this highlight the true heart of our mission. Whether it is providing food, supporting healthcare access, or partnering with organizations making a difference globally, the impact is real, tangible, and ongoing.

We are deeply grateful for every partner, donor, and volunteer who helps make this work possible. Together, we are not only meeting immediate needs—we are helping build stronger, healthier communities for the future.

The Ripple Effect of Compassion

What may begin as a single act of generosity can grow into years of continued service and life-saving impact. Nikki’s experience in Guatemala is a beautiful example of that ripple effect in action.

Thank you for being part of a mission that continues to reach across borders and change lives.

Packed with Purpose: Food for Kidz and Feed My Lambs Ship Hope to Haiti

by

At Food for Kidz in Stewart, MN    , every container we load represents more than supplies—it represents hope, compassion, and the collective effort of people committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families facing hunger and hardship.

Recently, Food for Kidz partnered with Feed My Lambs to load another container filled with essential food and humanitarian aid destined for an orphange in Haiti This effort brought together dedicated volunteers and partners who share a common mission: providing nourishment and support to vulnerable children and families both around the world and here in the United States.

We were honored to have Feed My Lambs Founder Philip Rego working alongside Mike and John Gaska during the loading process. Their commitment and willingness to serve helped make the day a tremendous success. Joining them were Food for Kidz team members John, JJ, and Tanner, whose hard work and dedication ensured the container was efficiently packed and prepared for shipment.

 

 

 

 

 

Together, the team loaded a wide variety of much-needed items, including:

  • Food for Kidz Rice & Bean Meals
  • Oatmeal
  • Pasta
  • Generators
  • Shoes
  • Clothing
  • Additional humanitarian supplies

 

Each item loaded into the container serves a purpose. Nutritious meals help combat hunger and malnutrition. Clothing and shoes provide dignity and protection. Generators and other supplies help support communities facing challenges and limited resources. Together, these resources will impact countless lives.

Partnerships like the one between Food for Kidz and Feed My Lambs demonstrate the incredible impact that can be achieved when organizations, volunteers, and supporters unite around a shared purpose. No single organization can solve hunger alone, but together, we can reach more children, serve more families, and provide hope where it is needed most.

We are deeply grateful for everyone who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make this shipment possible. From volunteers and donors to community partners and supporters, each person plays a vital role in helping us fulfill our mission.

 

How You Can Help

The need continues, and there are many ways to get involved:

  • Volunteer at a meal-packing event
  • Donate to support meal production and distribution
  • Sponsor a project or shipment
  • Organize a service group or community event
  • Share our mission with friends, family, and colleagues

Every act of generosity helps us provide nutritious meals and critical support to children and families in need.

Thank you for partnering with Food for Kidz as we continue working toward a world where no chi

 

ld goes hungry. Together, we are making a lasting difference—one meal, one container, and one life at a time.

 

✨Reflecting on an Incredible Year of Impact✨

by

As we close out an incredible year, we want to take a moment to pause, reflect, and say thank you.

To every volunteer, partner, church, donor, and supporter who stood with Food for Kidz this year—your impact has been truly life-changing. 💛

 

What We Accomplished Together in 2025

Because of your generosity and commitment, 2025 was a year filled with hope, compassion, and meaningful action. Together, we:

  • Packed 2.5 million nutritious meals for children facing food insecurity

  • Supported local food banks across communities nationwide

  • Sent life-sustaining meals to children overseas

  • Built deeper partnerships with churches, nonprofits, and community leaders by hosting 25 Food for Kidz events

  • Shared hope with thousands of families near and far

Every box packed, every meal shared, and every partnership formed represents more than numbers—it represents care, dignity, and love extended to children who need it most.

None of This Happens Without You

Your time, energy, prayers, and generosity made this work possible. Whether you volunteered at a packing event, donated resources, prayed for our mission, or shared our story with others—you played a vital role in bringing meals and hope to children around the world.

We are deeply grateful for each of you and the heart you bring to this mission.

Looking Ahead with Hope

As we look ahead to the future, we are filled with excitement and faith for what’s to come. Together, we will continue to grow, serve, and reach more children in need—one meal at a time.

💛 Here’s to all we accomplished together in 2025—and to the even greater impact ahead.

Thank you for being part of the Food for Kidz family.

FOLLOW US