FAQs
You package food to be shipped worldwide. What is involved in that process?
We purchase bulk raw ingredients and store them at our warehouse. Then, volunteers like you come in and assemble the bags using our ingredients. The bags are then boxed up, loaded onto a pallet and stored to await shipment. Our international shipping is provided by the U.S. government or our international feeding partners. They pick up the cargo (or we have it shipped to their location within the U.S.) and transport it by plane or by ship to the destination country.
What's so special about your food package?
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Rice | Soy | Vitamins & flavoring | Vegetable blend |
The meal ingredients are formulated by food scientists to provide a rich source of easily digestible protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins needed by an undernourished child’s body and mind. The food is also acceptable to the broad diversity of ethnic tastes and religious differences around the world. The food offers all 9 of the essential amino acids required for complete nutrition, something that can’t be said about other typical food relief sources such as rice or beans alone. It is also very simple to prepare, requiring only 6 cups of boiling water to make a complete meal.
Can you come to our school/church/business to do a packaging event?
We do have a mobile packaging unit, but you are also welcome to set up a time to come to our Cape Girardeau location to package the meals (30 people max.). We do many off-site packaging events each year, but are only able to do so if your team can raise the funds needed to cover the cost of ingredients and travel and is able to follow our mobile packaging event guidelines. To schedule a special packaging event, please contact Rick at 573.803.1542.
What are your food packaging hours?
Packaging sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A packaging session is usually two hours long and we therefore recommend that you schedule a starting time of no later than 2:30 p.m. to allow for cleanup. To schedule a packaging session, please call Rick at 573.803.1542.
What types of people volunteer to package the food?
While our name implies that children are the source of our volunteers, in practice our volunteers come from all age groups and walks of life. Individuals and groups from churches, synagogues, schools, social clubs, businesses, senior centers, and civic groups are common sources of volunteers for packaging our food. Children from the fifth grade on seem to have the best experience in packaging events. Teens require minimal adult supervision and often plan their own packaging events. Some of the best volunteer experiences come when children, parents, and grandparents work together as a family. Schools and corporations often do packaging with us as a community service event.