"When we say 'Food is hope,' that's not just a slogan. We're using the food to get people to rise up." — Junior Obrand, Regional Program Manager - Caribbean 

World Hunger Day is May 28, and we want to fill the packing room. Sign up HERE. This year, World Hunger Day’s theme is sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty.  

More than 821 million people in the world do not have enough food. And hunger is on the rise, according to the latest report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

That is an overwhelming number, but your support of FMSC is changing this reality. That’s because FMSC is more than a food assistance organization.

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is defined by the United Nations as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

When you pack and fund FMSC meals, you are supporting our sustainable initiatives like:

• School meals
• Project Based Food Assistance (PBFA)
• Joined Hands
• FMSC MarketPlace

School Meals are Just the Beginning

School meals not only draw children into the classroom, they provide an incentive to continue their education. Improvements in education and health, in turn, have a direct effect on children’s ability to break the cycle of poverty.

Every day, FMSC’s partners around the world work to support these efforts. In a recent survey, 35 percent of FMSC partners reported that school meal programs are the primary context in which they use MannaPack products.

PBFAs Empower Communities to Rise Up

Through FMSC’s PBFA initiatives, distribution partners, churches and local leaders within a specific region come together to help their community. For a period of time, individuals and communities receive a consistent supply of FMSC food to empower them to rise out of poverty and become self-reliant.

At FMSC, we believe that food assistance and community development work together.

“There’s all this space on the spectrum between relief and development, said Matt Muraski, VP of International Programs and Supply Chain at FMSC. “FMSC thrives across the entire continuum.”

In addition to a current project in the Dominican Republic, FMSC has completed one PBFA in the Philippines and is exploring expanding the program into more communities.

Joined Hands is Stimulating Local Economies

FMSC volunteers pack three components of our food – vitamins, vegetables and soy – that are not readily available in the countries we serve. This product is called MannaPack 3-Pack.

Our Distribution Partners then pack the rice component in-country with rice that has been locally grown and procured. Joined Hands not only stimulates the local economy and supports small-scale farmers, but it is a step towards dignity and self-sufficiency for those it touches.

This program started in Nicaragua and we are exploring what’s next.

How the FMSC MarketPlace Strengthens Communities

FMSC established the MarketPlace to support sustainable development in communities that receive FMSC meals. For a fair wage, we buy handmade goods from local artisans. We then sell those goods in our MarketPlace at packing sites, MobilePack events and online.

Every purchase strengthens individual artisans and their communities and profits go into FMSC’s feeding program.

Sign up to pack meals TODAY.