More than 1,600 people attended our Minnesota 2015 Gala last Friday. The theme of the inspirational evening was Hunger to Hope.

The program paid tribute to mothers dealing with horrific situations beyond our comprehension – mothers who are forced to send their children to bed hungry every night.

Nora, a mother from Nicaragua, shared her story of hope.

Before enrolling in Fabretto programs, Nora and her husband struggled to feed their three children. They washed and ironed clothes and sold firewood to earn money.

“The day to day life was very difficult. We did not have regular income as we worked informally. What we earned wasn’t enough to cover basic needs,” she said.

She and her husband sell coffee in a co-op. Nora is also co-founder of the Basket Co-op in Cusmapa, Nicaragua. All three of her children have benefited from Fabretto programs.

Nora touched many people’s hearts when she said that even though we are apart in distance, “Spiritually, we are all together.”

Kim Johnson of WCCO-TV emceed the evening. She shared how she used to pack FMSC meals with her church when she was growing up.

“This organization was part of the fabric of my upbringing, and I like to think it shaped who I am today,” she said.

Nate and Kim Beck were joined by their daughter Grace, 13, to bring live music to the event. If this family sounds familiar, it’s because they are no strangers to FMSC. In 2011, they partnered with us with their hot dog cart, Natedogs.

The live auction, with professional auctioneer Kristine Fladeboe Duininck, had the crowd cheering, especially when 6-year-old Parker, of Blaine, took the stage to help auction off a lemonade stand franchise.

Parker’s lemonade stand franchise was sold for $1,300! That just adds to the money his lemonade stand already raised this summer for FMSC. Thank you, Parker!

Paul Oman and 12-year-old daughter Kelsey live-painted acrylics on separate canvases to give vision to the mission of FMSC. The paintings were later auctioned off.

Mark Crea, Executive Director/CEO of FMSC, gave the final words for the evening.

“Right now, our partners are waiting for the day they can tell ALL mothers that their children will be fed. We have that ability here with you and your help,” he said. “Help us feed one more child, one more family, maybe one more village.”

With more than 1,600 in attendance, this was our biggest Gala ever. Through your generosity FMSC exceeded our goal of raising $1 million—which will provide more than 4.5 million nutritious meals to those like Nora who need it most.

Thank you for your generosity and support!