GREECE, N.Y. — Volunteers at Lakeshore Community Church spent the weekend hand-packing nutritious meals for malnourished children in countries around the world. Their mission is rooted in the belief that every child has a right to a good meal.

Lakeshore Community Church was transformed into a food-packing assembly line. Pastor Vince DiPaola and 800 volunteers worked in teams to scoop, weigh and seal food packs that are full of vitamins, rice, dried vegetables and soy protein. The nonprofit Feed My Starving Children will deliver the meal packs to children all over the world.

What You Need To Know

  • Lakeshore Community Church has packed meals for the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children for the past 11 years

  • Kids and adults of all ages hand-pack nutritious MannaPack meals specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition

  • Volunteering occurs at FMSC permanent sites and hundreds of mobile events nationwide

“When people get their hands in the game, they feel the wheel that seals the deal, that old expression,” DiPaola said. “There’s something special about it. It’s not just cutting a check. That’s important, but it’s also doing it and you feel like you’re even more a part of it. It gives more ownership into the event and I think that help.”

“We have permanent sites in a few states and then we put events on like this all around the country,” said Lauren Privett from Feed My Starving Children. “We partner with churches, schools and businesses to make these events happen anywhere across the U.S.”

The Froman family from Middleport filed an entire packing station. Mom, dad, sisters and cousins all worked together to assemble meal packs.

“I really like helping out with the community and the thought of so many children around the world that are starving right now kind of like drove me to want to do this,” said Allen Froman.

Lakeshore Community Church has done this mission every year for the past 11 years and to date has packed 2 million meals. Eighty-eight dollars will feed one child for an entire year.

"People are hungry and people and in need 365 days of the year,” DiPaola said. “There’s something acute and special about doing it the Christmas season. God so loved the world that he gave his only son so when we give to people who are in need we are being like God. That makes us feel special but more importantly, it helps children see God‘s love as they see this free food coming their way.”

Feed My Starving Children says 90% of total donations are spent directly on meal production. The next meal packing event in the area will be in February at Villa Maria College in Buffalo. If you'd like to volunteer, find out how by heading to fmsc.org.