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Food For Kidz

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From Worship to Work: A Sunday of Service at Bethel Lutheran

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Shoutout to Bethel Lutheran Church – Willmar & Pastor Jon! 🙌
This past Sunday was no ordinary Sunday — instead of a traditional service, Bethel Lutheran lived out their faith in action through a powerful act of service with Food for Kidz. 💛
A dedicated crew of volunteers, including a vibrant group of ladies in their signature yellow “God’s Work, Our Hands” shirts, arrived bright and early at 7:30 AM to pack nutritious rice and soy meals. Their energy, organization, and joyful spirits made the entire event run seamlessly.
One young woman, who started helping when she was just six years old, still brought the same spark and excitement as she did on her first day — a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact of service and community.
The volunteers were not only hardworking, but also thoughtful and engaged — asking insightful questions, wanting to understand the meals they were packing and the families they were helping. Their compassion and curiosity were truly inspiring. ❤️
We can only imagine how many families around the world have been fed through the years of commitment from this amazing community.
Thank you, Bethel Lutheran Church and Pastor Jon, for your faithful partnership and heart for service. We are so grateful for all you do — and we can’t wait to see you again next year! 💪🌎🍚

Thank You, Jeff Boyum and LifeRice: A Powerful Partnership in Fighting Hunger

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Thank You, Jeff Boyum and LifeRice
We are so very thankful for your heartfelt message and for the many years of partnership. Your dedication to fighting hunger alongside us has made a powerful impact, and we deeply value the work we’ve accomplished together.
We’re honored to share these kind words from Jeff Boyum with LifeRice:
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“I cannot express how valuable John, JJ, and the crew at Food For Kidz have been to our operations and success here at LifeRice. I first met John Neisen in 2008, and have enjoyed his friendship since then. Food For Kidz in Stewart saved several smaller hunger relief agencies from closure by providing a central warehouse that supplies us with raw materials and storage for our relief meals. John and JJ have been fantastic to work with and are always accommodating—even to our smallest requests for service. They have been known to carry costs for several of the groups they support and are always willing to work with smaller organizations to help us be successful. Tens of millions of meals for hunger relief—both locally and globally—have been created thanks to the hard work, flexibility, and generosity of Food For Kidz. Beyond all of that, John and JJ are kind and enjoyable people. They have a passion for seeing people receive much-needed meals. I am very grateful to them and the work at Food For Kidz.”
Thank you, Jeff, for your trust, your commitment, and your encouraging words. We are proud to stand with LifeRice and so many other passionate organizations in this vital mission.
Together, we continue to make a meaningful difference.
— The Food for Kidz Team

Gratitude for Our Partnership with Kids Fighting Hunger

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Thank You, Kathy and Kevin with Kids Fighting Hunger
We are grateful for your kind words and for your consistent collaboration in the shared mission to end world hunger. Your partnership means the world to us, and we value the impact we’ve been able to create together.
We’re honored to share the thoughtful message you recently sent us:
“For over 20 years, Food for Kidz has worked to combat food insecurity by making ingredients accessible to nonprofits for distribution both regionally and globally. Thanks to their support, Kids Fighting Hunger has packed over seventeen million meals for those in need. Food for Kidz has been an essential partner, offering service opportunities so communities can pack and deliver food effectively. They were instrumental in our early efforts and have continued to empower us and many other organizations to fulfil our mission of helping those who cannot provide for themselves. It is through their service work that we are able to do ours and continue the message of stewardship for those in need, which is key to the mission of both of our organizations and many others.”
Your words inspire us and remind us why we do this work. Thank you for being such a vital part of the movement to create a more nourished and compassionate world.
Together, we make a difference.
— The Food for Kidz Team

Throwback Thursday: Trent’s 60-Mile Mission for Food for Kidz

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Making An Impact

One runner proved that determination, heart, and commitment to a cause can truly make an impact.

In October 2023, Trent Neisen set out on a bold 60-mile mission: run 60 miles in one day and raise $6,000 to support Food for Kidz and children in need around the world. Not only did he hit his goal, but his journey inspired others to give, ultimately raising $7,200—a powerful testament to what can happen when purpose fuels every step.

As I look back on the event, I feel incredibly proud of every aspect of it,” Trent shared. “Leading up to race day, I was fully committed—to finishing all 60 miles and to raising $6,000 to help those in need. Keeping my word became my motivation. It drove me to train. It pushed me to fundraise. And in the final 15 miles, when my legs ached, my feet throbbed, and another lap felt impossible, it was that commitment that kept me moving.

Trent at his camp for the 60 mile race

He ran with the thought of hungry children in mind, knowing that every dollar raised could provide nutritious meals to those who might not even have food today. Trent just kept putting one foot in front of the other. He was determined to not leave until the 60 miles were completed.

11 hours and 49 minutes after the starting horn sounded, Trent’s watch hit 60 miles. Exhausted yet triumphant, he was filled with gratitude—not just for finishing the race, but for the outpouring of support.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude—for the support, for the experience, and for the cause we were fighting for. And while hitting my goal meant a lot, what happened next meant even more. In the days following the event, donations surged past our $6,000 target, bringing the total to $7,200 for Food for Kidz.

Trent at end of 60 mile race

His message is simple, but powerful: “More miles. More impact. More than I could have hoped for.”

At Food for Kidz, we are deeply grateful for people like Trent—people who choose to take action and make a difference. Whether it’s a 60-mile mission, volunteering at a packing event, or spreading the word, every effort counts. Every step matters.

Feeling inspired to make an impact as well?

Join us —because together, we can fight hunger and bring hope to children and families around the world.

4 Ways to Help Right Now
  • Download a packet of information to help you or your organization get started planning your own food packaging event.
  • Make a donation of any amount to help purchase food. 100% of donations to Food for Kidz goes toward food.
  • Use the social sharing buttons (below) to share this page with your friends and invite them to join you in empowering change across the street and around the world.
  • “Like” us on Facebook, join the conversation, and share your stories of making a difference.

Learn How To Help

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED EVERYDAY

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Please consider volunteering your time and come help us package food!

We are in a HUGE bind to get Rice&Bean meals packaged due to all of our hosts having to cancel events due to COVID-19. We have the packaging set up in the gymnasium where we are taking social distancing precautions so it is set up differently than normal events(more like an assembly line).

  • We will be providing volunteers with a Food for Kidz hat with a  face shield attached and other protective measures available upon arrival
    • If you have your own mask, please bring it because we do not have a surplus of these!
  • At this time we are asking for volunteers who are 16 and older.
  • We are able to accommodate those volunteers that are not able to be on their feet for the duration of the shift (although this is a limited number each shift).
  • We are planning to package EVERY day of the week from 9AM – 3PM.

Come and go as you are willing and able to do so!

301 Main Street in Stewart – the gym is on the colder side so please dress accordingly.  Call 320-583-9667 with questions regarding volunteering!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

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