COVID-19 Updates

Packing Status

MobilePack™ events will restart beginning June 1, 2021. Details here

Your support is more critical than ever. Please help fund meals.

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"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." — Isaiah 41:10

The health and safety of our communities and staff is of utmost importance to us. We are closely monitoring federal, state and local health guidelines and will provide updates here as information changes.

Here's what you need to know at this time:

  • We are praying for health and protection for you, your family and friends. God will guide us through this difficult time.
  • We will not stop feeding kids. Through alternative packing methods, meals are still being packed, but fewer of them and at more cost. We need your financial support now more than ever. Give now
  • The recently passed CARES Act created new tax benefits for 2020 charitable donations. Learn more
  • As experts learn more, recommendations evolve. Get the latest from the CDC

Update: May 3, 2021: MobilePack™ Events Returning

We are delighted to share that MobilePack™ events will begin to restart June 1, 2021 across the US as demand and staffing allow.

MobilePack™ test events have taken place in a number of states to fine-tune operational details necessary to allow for a safe packing experience under CDC guidelines. If you are interested in learning more about hosting a MobilePack™ event, please contact your MobilePack™ development advisor or email MobilePackInfo@fmsc.org.

If you would like to volunteer at a MobilePack™ event, keep checking fmsc.org/volunteer. Click on the "MobilePack Events" tab to find an event in your state.

Update: December 11, 2020: Packing Site and MobilePack™ Event Status

We are delighted to share that all permanent packing sites are open. We will continue to remain open as we are deemed essential as an FDA registered food manufacturing plant. This will allow lifesaving meal packing work to continue and address the increased global hunger need due to COVID-19. The safety of our employees and volunteers is our top priority and we continue to operate under CDC protocols. To learn more about our safety protocols and sign up for a packing session, visit fmsc.org/volunteer.

We've made the difficult decision to continue to postpone MobilePack events through June 1, 2021, MobilePack events are, and will continue to be, an integral part of FMSC. We have a team dedicated to find ways to bring back MobilePack events as quickly and as safely as possible.

Thank you for your flexibility, understanding and commitment to feeding kids during these most unusual times.

Update: August 10, 2020: Packing Sites Are Open

We are thrilled to invite you pack to the packing room. All our permanent packing sites are now open for volunteer shifts through January, 2021.

But, things will look a bit different. We have new safety measures in place, including face coverings, temperature checks, social distancing and reduced capacity. Please review all the new safety measures before signing up for a shift.

Sign up to pack

And, to celebrate God's faithfulness, we have a generous $80,000 matching gift that will double your donation to fund meals, starting today.

Give now

As we move forward amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to do so responsibly, with care and discretion. As the situation evolves, we may close sites again as needed to ensure the safety of staff and volunteers. Thank you for your flexibility during these unusual times and for your commitment to feeding kids.

Update: July 22, 2020: Limited Packing Shifts Available

God is Faithful

We could not have foreseen what was in store for 2020, but God opened doors. We have been able to pack meals through machine packing, partnering with a correctional facility, and limited staff packing.Through these methods, we've now packed enough meals to feed 86,685 kids for a year.

And we have seen God's faithfulness as FMSC supporters like you have given generously to fund these meals. But with hunger on the rise, we must do more.

Limited Shifts Now Open

We have been working diligently to find ways to welcome you back to the packing room. We're committed to taking this step safely and responsibly:

  • New safety measures are now in place, including masks, temperature checks, social distancing and reduced capacity. Review the new safety measures
  • We're monitoring the local situation at each site. We will open shifts as we can do so safely, and will close sites if needed.
  • Safety precautions and the need for flexibility limit the number of volunteer slots available for the coming months.

Limited volunteer shifts are now available through September. Sign up to pack

Before registering for a shift, please carefully review the safety measures listed on the volunteer page.

Here's a preview of what to expect when you return to the packing room:

Thank you for your commitment to making sure each of God's children is fed.

Update: June 1, 2020

Continued Progress on Alternative Packing Methods

We have developed and are now testing a plan to begin safely packing meals at our sites with employees. Starting June 1, a limited number of FMSC employees including site and MobilePack™ leadership teams will pack meals at each site. The packing station configuration has been modified to incorporate social distancing. A plan was developed incorporating the necessary state and federal guidelines to ensure the safety of employees. At this time, we are testing this procedure only with employees. We understand and are grateful that volunteers are anxious to come back to the sites, however we ask that you do not come to the sites during the test . This is our first step in re-implementing packing at our sites. We will keep you informed as soon as we can extend packing to include volunteers.

We continue to seek alternative packing solutions. As of last week we had shipped more than 4.5 million meals that were packed by machine or by inmates from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault, MN. We continue to work with other resources to pack meals and will continue to provide updates. We will not stop feeding God's children.

MobilePack™ Update

After much discussion and prayer, we made the decision to postpone MobilePack events through September 30, 2020 out of an abundance of caution. We continue to work with MobilePack hosts to discuss alternative ways to support the mission and have an internal team dedicated to researching ways that we can re-activate MobilePack operations while operating under new COVID-19 guidelines as soon as possible.

Update: May 7, 2020: FMSC Expands Alternative Packing Solutions

On March 16, for the safety of our volunteers and staff, and in accordance with government guidelines, we made the difficult decision to pause volunteer packing at all FMSC sites and MobilePack™ events.

In the weeks since, we have worked diligently to implement alternative packing solutions to allow some meals to continue to be shipped to partners in urgent need.

Bulk machine packing

Only nine days after pausing volunteer packing, we launched our first alternative packing solution – a partnership with our vitamin supplier, Karlsburger Foods, Inc., to machine pack meals in bulk. Read more about this partnership

To date, Karlsburger Foods has produced about 6 million meals. Shipments are on their way to Haiti, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso and El Salvador.

Only 51 days after stopping volunteer packing, meals have been packed, shipped, cleared customs and arrived at FMSC food partner Love A Child's warehouse in Haiti. This is a MIRACLE!

Meals arriving at FMSC Food Partner Love A Child in Haiti

Hand packing

On April 23, we completed our first day of packing meals at the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Faribault. In the first day and a half, 34,128 meals were packed. Moving forward, offenders housed at the facility will take part in 9 shifts each week, using a special linear packing setup that allows for social distancing.

Incarcerated individuals packing FMSC meals at a correctional facility

For several years, FMSC has been partnering with correctional facilities to feed God's kids and feed the spirits of incarcerated individuals. Read more

New machine packing

We've reached agreements with two companies, one in Minnesota and one in Utah, to machine pack one-kilogram (2.2 pounds) bags. Each of these bags holds about fifteen meals, compared to six meals for each of our standard hand-packed bags. These meals will go into production in the coming weeks.

We celebrate progress, but challenges remain.

We have committed to using these alternative methods to pack about 15 million meals per month for the next three months. This is about half of what our volunteers pack each month. And each of these meals costs about five cents more per meal than volunteer packed meals. This will cost an additional $2.2 million more than volunteer packed meals over the next three months.

At the same time, the World Food Programme estimates that COVID-19's global impact will double the number of people experiencing severe hunger to 265 million in 2020.

We have seen God's faithfulness through this difficult season and we are humbled by the generosity of FMSC's community of supporters. We continue to ask for your partnership.

Update: May 5, 2020

CARES Act Creates Tax Benefit in Response to COVID-19

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed into law March 27, 2020, creates a special tax benefit for charitable donors.

The new law creates a 2020 tax deduction of up to $300 in annual charitable contributions made by an eligible taxpayer. The $300 limit is per filing unit, regardless of filing status (e.g. married filing jointly is a filing unit.) This is available only to people who take the standard deduction, and it is an "above the line" deduction, meaning it reduces a donor's adjusted gross income (AGI), and therefore reduces taxable income.

For those who itemize, deduction caps have been lifted to 100% of AGI for individuals and joint filers and 25% for corporations. (These changes do not apply to Donor Advised Funds.)

Disclaimer: This material is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, accounting or tax advice. Please consult with your tax professional before acting on the information here.

Update: April 8, 2020 10:00 a.m. CDT

An Update From Our CEO

Dear Friends,

As we have stepped out in faith to find new ways to pack meals, we also must make additional decisions for the safety of our staff, volunteers and donors. And as faithful financial stewards, ensure each generous gift you bless us with goes to feed as many kids as possible.

For the safety of our employees and volunteers, Feed My Starving Children paused all volunteer packing at our permanent sites and MobilePack™ events on March 15. We have made the decision to suspend volunteer packing through July 31. Our sites will be closed to the public during this time.

FMSC committed to fully paying our staff from the day we closed through April 12 to sustain our staff family through the initial weeks of COVID-19 related uncertainty. As the negative impacts stretched longer, we made some difficult decisions to protect our mission of feeding God's starving children hungry in body and spirit.

We will be furloughing many of our staff. Most of these positions are on the manufacturing team that supported our volunteer operations. Additional positions will be reduced in hours and pay accordingly, with the executive staff taking a 20% pay cut. During this time FMSC will continue to provide health and other benefits to those impacted. We pray for those furloughed that we can welcome them back as soon as possible.

Friends, this is the most difficult year many of us have faced in our lifetime. It is one of the most difficult years I have faced as a leader. We are in constant prayer looking to the great Healer for guidance and wisdom as we navigate through this violent storm.

As we are assured by God, please be assured we will not rest. He calls us to continue to seek alternative ways to produce meals. We have already begun a bulk meal packing solution with an outside vendor. We are pursuing additional machine packing options as a short term solution. We ask for your prayers and donations to support these alternative methods of providing meals.

Together, we will continue to feed His kids and care for our staff, family and friends during this challenging time. We are not alone.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." – Isaiah 41:10

In prayer,

Mark Crea
Executive Director/CEO

Update: March 30, 2020 4:00 p.m. CDT

An Interim Packing Solution

Even though our packing rooms are closed, we're committed to making sure kids around the world get the nutrition they need. We have weathered hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts and more. This crisis will not stop us from getting food to our partners.

Working with Karlsburger Foods Inc., a long-term food supplier who produces the vitamin powder in our MannaPack ™ meals, we developed an interim solution to continue bulk packing using machines. Meals are on their way to kids. We rejoice in the Lord.

While machine production is more expensive, it allows us to answer God's call to feed His kids. We continue to explore many more meal packing options to fill the urgent need for food.

As always, we ask for your prayers and support. FMSC is praying for you and your loved ones.

Hear more about this approach from our CEO and our VP of marketing and development.

Update: March 27, 2020: A Reminder of Hope

In the midst of challenging times, it is easy to lose sight of hope. But hope perseveres.

Though volunteers aren't able to pack meals right now, kids are being fed. As of March 25, there were 92 million meals in transit to our partners!

One partner, Church of Bible Understanding in Haiti, received a container this week. They told us, "As soon as we got the container out, we distributed food to nine orphanages that needed food right away."

A container of FMSC meals being unloaded

Even through the storms, God is good.

Update: March 19, 2020 1:00 p.m. CDT

An update on our 2020 Illinois Gala

For the safety of guests, sponsors, donors and staff, our Illinois Gala scheduled for May 2, 2020 gala has been canceled. Please watch for information as we determine how to best offer an alternate experience. Our desire is to honor our supporters and raise funds that are still desperately needed to provide an uninterrupted source of nutrition to our partners and the precious children they serve.

An update from our CEO and VP of Marketing and Development

Mark Crea, Executive Director and CEO and Andy Carr, VP of Marketing and Development, share an update on the situation and what you can do to help.

As always, if you have questions, please email us at info@fmsc.org.

Update: March 16, 2020 5:00 p.m. CDT

Feed My Starving Children continues to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and respond in step with the recommendations of federal and state authorities. As we announced previously, we have taken the unprecedented step of pausing our normal meal packing activities at our permanent sites.

As of today, March 16, we are closing all packing sites through Sunday, April 12. This extends the previously announced 3-day closure. All MobilePack™ events scheduled for March 16 through April 12 remain postponed. This will give us additional time to evaluate our options and to monitor and adapt to the ever-evolving situation.

We recognize gravity of this situation for those who rely on FMSC meals and we lift up those children and their families in prayer. We ask for God's help and wisdom in this global health crisis.

What can you do to help?

Pray. We ask you to join us in prayer for the health of FMSC's volunteers, supporters, staff, partners and most importantly those who rely on FMSC meals.

Give. Please consider donating. We cannot pack meals right now, but you can help fund them so they can be packed at a later date. Give now

Shop MarketPlace online. You can shop FMSC MarketPlace™ from wherever you are, and you'll support artisans while funding meals for kids at the same time. Shop now

If you find yourself doing a lot of online shopping on Amazon in this season, did you know you can have Amazon donate a portion of the sales to FMSC? Simply go to smile.amazon.com and choose Feed My Starving Children as your selected nonprofit, then shop as usual.

As always, if you have questions, please email us at info@fmsc.org.

March 13, 2020: A Note from Our CEO Regarding COVID-19

Dear Friends of Feed My Starving Children,

In response to the COVID-19 recommendations from federal and state authorities, Feed My Starving Children has made the unprecedented decision to pause our normal meal packing activities at our permanent sites.

All packing sites will be closed Monday-Wednesday, March 16-18. All MobilePack™  events scheduled for March 16 through April 12 will be postponed. We will use this time to gather information, explore alternative packing solutions and find ways to safely produce FMSC meals for people in need around the world.

All packing sessions and MobilePack events scheduled through Sunday, March 15 will go on as planned.

Recognizing that this situation is fluid, we will post the latest information on this page.

I am grateful for each of you and together we will navigate the challenges we face. Our staff prays together every morning a verse chosen by our councils. I ask you pray this verse with us as we look to our Lord for guidance and wisdom.

Our God, we earnestly SEEK You. We THIRST for You.
We have seen You and behold Your power and glory.
Our lips will GLORIFY You. We PRAISE You!
We CLING to You as Your right hand upholds FMSC.
We REJOICE.

Prayer based on Psalm 63

If you have questions, please email us at info@fmsc.org.

May God bless you,

Mark Crea
Executive Director/CEO

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