In this quarterly update we share how God is working to impact lives. Enjoy!
Welcome To The Good News
Choosing to Give____Freely
Kicking Off A Year Where YOU Fill In The Blank!
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MEALS PACKED
This Quarter
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PLAYGROUNDS BUILT
This Quarter
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KIDS IN STORYCLUBS
This Quarter
GO! Give Freely – Our 2025 Rallying Call
This January, we launched the third annual theme of our four-year GO! Campaign, inspiring others to take action in the many ways the Bible calls us to GO!
This year’s rallying slogan, “GO! Give Freely!”, is inspired by Matthew 10:8 and builds on last year’s theme, “GO! Serve Others!” We are excited to continue this journey of generous giving alongside our teams, volunteers, and partners.
We recognize that everyone has unique gifts and abilities, and giving freely looks different for each person. That’s why we encourage everyone to fill in the blank:
Give ___ Freely.
Whether it’s time, talent, heart, energy, encouragement, financial support, muscle, or prayer (you get the idea!), we trust our partners will step forward in their own way to live out the call of Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
This scripture is our guiding principle as we continue working to create a lifelong impact in the lives of those we serve.
Are you ready to “GO! Give Freely” this year?
FOOD
Millions of THANKS to all our incredible friends and partners who generously chose to Give Freely of their time, energy, and hearts! With thousands of volunteers coming together at 35 events, over 2.6 MILLION meals were packed this quarter!
God continues to provide through each and every one of you, and we are truly amazed. And you should be, too! You’re making a difference — and it’s worth celebrating!
We kicked off the year in JANUARY with an incredible start! Partners like Thrive Church in Texas packed thousands of meals during their inspiring “No Service Sunday” where the entire congregation came together.
From business partners like Owens Corning to students at St. Bridget School and Rockford Christian School—both in Illinois and stepping out of the classroom into action—many poured their hearts into giving children a greater chance to thrive.
FEBRUARY was a month of incredible impact with dozens of partners. Churches such as Arundel Community in Maryland, Life Bridge and New Hope in Wisconsin, and United Methodist in Illinois packed a combined total of over 200,000 meals for our Global Communities.
To make the experience more powerful, another partner offered OneMeal samples for volunteers to try, giving everyone a firsthand taste of what’s shared with hungry tummies around the world – bringing the mission to life!
MARCH wrapped up the quarter with numerous phenomenal partners including our friends at C. Pacific Foods, North Coast Calvary Church, and Ranch Church — all in California — who packed meals to support their Hope Zones in the Dominican Republic, Uganda, and Ecuador.
The list is GREAT and we’re GRATEFUL for all of our partners and volunteers across the country — that together chose to Give Freely when sharing the love of Christ through millions of meals!
WOWED IN WISCONSIN
At the Wisconsin Youth District Conference in Green Bay, 400 fun and energetic students came together to pack over 50,000 meals for children in our Global Communities! But the most inspiring part? They didn’t just pack the meals—they also raised thousands of dollars to support the event! Even more exciting, the Director of their District Service Project – and pastor at an area church – experienced the impact firsthand on a GO! Trip last year to the DR, witnessing FOOD, PLAY, and STORY in action. He returned to share with the youth how their efforts are truly changing lives – making this event even more meaningful!
“THERE’S A LEADER IN ME!”
The students of Navigator Academy Leadership Valrico in Valrico, FL, showed what it means to lead with heart. As part of their “Serve Day,” 900 K-8th grade students packed an incredible 100,000 meals for domestic food banks, supporting the Restore Florida campaign for hurricane relief. They also assembled 500 hygiene kits to help those in need. Throughout the day, their rally cry—“1,2,3, There’s a leader in me!”—rang out countless times, a true reflection of their spirit. We’re grateful for this generation of young leaders stepping up with care and compassion!
SHINING THE LOVE OF “THE SON”
North Coast Calvary Chapel on the sunny west coast never fails to reflect “The Son” and His love for others. As a longtime, steadfast partner, it’s always a blessing to join forces and witness their church family come together for an incredible impact. This quarter, hundreds of attendees packed 100,000 meals, once again showing their unwavering commitment to serving others in Jesus’ name.
HUGE Weekend, HUGE Impact!
In just 3 days, with 1,200 hearts (that’s 2,400 hands!), Christian Life Center came together to pack over 750,000 meals — BIG numbers making a BIG difference! This Dayton, Ohio congregation means business when it comes to serving others (and having fun). Rumor is they have a goal to pack 1 million meals next time! We’re here for it — and so are the precious kiddos who’ll enjoy another day with a full tummy.
JOINING FORCES TO GIVE FREELY
In support of Vision Trust — an international, non-denominational nonprofit dedicated to helping vulnerable children in developing nations through education, healthcare, community development, and spiritual support — Lakepoint Church in Wisconsin truly amazed us this quarter!
With over 1,200 volunteers stepping up, they packed an incredible 200,000 meals. Their dedication and heart left us in awe. When multiple organizations come together to make a difference, children who are hungry know they are cared for!
PLAY
DOOR FOR DEEPER CONNECTIONS
Our recent vision trip to the Dominican Republic was made extra special by an incredible team—including a couple who have been longtime partners in our work. Having previously helped in the removal of the playground from its original US location, they were donating the refurbished playground in memory of a beloved family member—all while celebrating 50 years of marriage by continuing their legacy of service.
Throughout the week, we witnessed God at work alongside local Haitian churches, sharing KidStory and strengthening community relationships. As our team built the playground at a local school we were energized by the contagious excitement of children eagerly watching on, counting down the days until they could play. Oh, the anticipation!
Dedication Day was a beautiful celebration, marking the completion of the playground and the beginning of something much greater – a door for deeper connections in the community for years to come.
GOING FURTHER WHEN GIVING FREELY
Volunteers from Legacy Church’s Men’s Ministry in Albuquerque, NM, traveled to the Dominican Republic to share FOOD, PLAY and STORY—but most importantly, to share God’s transforming hope.
Their journey began at El Gato Batey church near La Romana, where they delivered a heartfelt message, prayed with the Haitian community, and distributed meals, Bibles, church chairs, and over 1,200 soccer shorts. A highlight was preparing a special meal for more than 200 people who had gathered there!
At San Rafael Elementary, heart and energy was poured into building a playground, along with repairing existing broken play equipment, fixing picnic tables, and repainting the basketball court—creating a safe, welcoming space for children.
With a passion to Give Freely, they partnered with our local DR team to install a roof on a 40-foot container conversion project—previously purchased and painted by Legacy Church. Last year, this container carried 270,000 meals; now, it will serve three rural Haitian communities, continuing to provide FOOD, PLAY, and STORY.
Their generosity leaves a lasting impact—offering both physical nourishment and spiritual hope.
THE GIFT OF PLAY TO THE VILLAGE OF HOPE
On the shores of Lake Victoria, sits the Village of Hope (VOH) — an impressive, and still expanding, campus complete with a primary school, assembly hall, girls’ home, and more!
This region of Kenya faces one of the highest rates of AIDS, and VOH is dedicated to rescuing and educating girls and boys, empowering them to bring lasting change to their communities. By sharing the Gospel and fostering education, they are challenging the cultural norms that often leave girls vulnerable.
We recently had the privilege of partnering with VOH and a team of 19 volunteers from Pine Knolls Alliance Church in Upstate New York to bring the gift of PLAY to these precious children.
As the playground took shape, Grandma Mary Jane — who oversees the Village alongside her husband, Derek — was overwhelmed with emotion, calling it a true “miracle” for the children. The joyful sounds of kids reciting Scripture and singing songs of praise echoed through the campus, a beautiful reminder of the hope and healing taking root.
Together, with our partners, we’re not just building playgrounds — we’re building brighter futures.
TAKING PLAY TO NEW HEIGHTS IN NEPAL
February brought us to the breathtaking land of the Himalayas to build a playground for the 400 students of Shreeh Krishna Secondary School — a project generously sponsored by Elevation Church. We also had the privilege of worshiping at a small church planted with Open Eyes, experiencing the beauty of fellowship in this remarkable region.
In a place known for its towering mountains, it was only fitting that Elevation Church’s generosity reached such great heights, blessing both the school and the surrounding community. The gift of PLAY here will serve as a tangible expression of God’s love, offering joy and hope to children who are often vulnerable and marginalized.
The opening day was a grand celebration, complete with speeches from local government leaders. One of our team members reflected on the moment, standing in the shadow of the majestic 23,000-foot FishTail Mountain, recalling Psalm 121:1-2:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Join us in praying that this playground will open hearts and serve as a bridge for encountering God’s love.
PLAY PROCESS PARTNERSHIPS!
We are expanding our operational reach! As we moved into the first quarter of 2025, our Operations team continued new efforts of shifting a portion of playground refurbishment to Ecuador. This exciting development allows us to strengthen in-country partnerships and staff to support our warehouse operations. As we refine this process, we aim to strategically enhance our workflow by enabling in-country refurbishment in multiple locations where we support Hope Zones.
We are continuously blessed by our partnership with Little Tikes Commercial! In collaboration with Bluegrass Recreation in Kentucky, we’re thrilled to strengthen this relationship even further. Given the high level of playground harvesting activity in this region, we’re excited to establish warehouse operations that will support playground refurbishment locally. This expansion will not only help ease capacity challenges at our Rockford, IL location but also improve our staging process and offer more playground harvesting opportunities!
STORY
IN KENYA: “Honestly, it was amazing!”
KIDStory continues to transform how children learn of God’s love – and how those who are trained are impacted as well! Our partner in Kenya who recently hosted a training session to use the KIDStory methodology shared, “Honestly, it was amazing. Once again, we witnessed God move in powerful ways. It never gets old seeing Him impact people so uniquely through the same training.”
They added that, “By the end of the session, 18–20 teachers had been trained—and what was truly exciting was watching them put their learning into practice right away. As they led their classes today, we saw firsthand how they applied what they had learned.”
During a review, the testimonies shared by those who had been in attendance were overwhelming. Teachers shared how deeply the training impacted them, children responded in incredible ways, and parents flooded church WhatsApp groups with messages about how much their kids had been touched.
One teacher shared, “YES! I’m all in for teaching Sunday school now. I didn’t know I could do it! This method makes it sooo much easier and takes away the pressure of trying to be a superstar—it helps me depend on the Holy Spirit instead.”
God was glorified, and lives – of kids and teachers alike – continue to be transformed for His glory! We can’t wait to see what God does next!
KIDSTORY: SHARING GOD’S LOVE IN THE MIDST OF TRAUMA
Our team recently hosted a webinar titled “Trauma-Informed: Practical Skills to Easily Apply,” offering valuable insights and tools on how to minister to children through KIDStory in the context of trauma. The training equipped attendees with trauma-informed strategies designed to make a meaningful difference. Over 370 people registered, with around 140 joining the live session — and everyone who registered received access to the recordings and resources.
The impact of this training is already evident. Here’s one powerful story that came in:
“Thank you so much for the resources. Yesterday, I taught the children on the topic ‘The Living God Through Trauma,’ using the story of Joseph from Genesis 37. Joseph endured unimaginable abuse from his own brothers, even being sold into slavery. After the lesson, I asked the children to draw a face of a traumatized child. Then, I invited them to privately share the meaning behind their drawings.
To my surprise, I heard so many heartbreaking stories. One 10-year-old boy told me, ‘Pastor, this boy crying on the paper is me. The four boys with sticks are the ones who beat me at school. Remember when I said my legs hurt all the time? It’s because they hit me and call me a goat because I have a hairy body.’
His words deeply moved me, and I immediately apologized for not realizing the extent of his pain. I prayed with him and assured him I would speak with his parents and the school to address the bullying. This training has truly equipped me to respond with greater care and understanding.”
God is indeed at work — bringing healing and hope to children through the transformative power of His Word. Equipped with trauma-informed approaches, those trained are making a tangible impact in young lives as the Good News restores hearts and renews spirits.
ENCOURAGED AND EMPOWERED IN THE DRC
KIDStory training has reached across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia. Through these opportunities, nearly 300,000 people heard God’s Word through storytelling.
In one area of the DRC, where many follow cults and animistic practices, a STORY trainer began with just seven participants. As a nearby school dismissed, curious students wandered in and were welcomed to join. Still in their uniforms, they eagerly engaged in learning and practicing God’s stories. After a short break, they rushed home to change — only to return for more!
At another training, a grandmother attended with her 16-year-old granddaughter. The STORY trainer saw how she was paying attention and asked her to present a lesson. Though hesitant when asked to lead, she amazed everyone with how well she taught. Encouraged and empowered, she even asked to review what she had missed.
We are inspired by these passionate learners. Please pray that the seeds planted through KIDStory continue to grow, bringing lasting change to their lives, families, and communities.
GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION IN THE DR
We were incredibly grateful to have a passionate team from the National Christian Foundation (NCF) South Florida join us in the Dominican Republic. As one of the largest faith-based grant-making organizations in the U.S., NCF equips individuals, families, and businesses to simplify their giving, grow their generosity, and fund life-changing ministries—both locally and globally.
Together, they helped transform the landscape of an elementary school in Sabanita. More than that, this team of nine witnessed firsthand how God is shaping young hearts in this growing Hope Zone. They saw how the generosity of partners, aligned with purpose, is fueling lasting transformation through FOOD, PLAY, and STORY!
UNDENIABLE IN UGANDA
In February, a dedicated team stepped into God’s vision for impact in Uganda, embracing the opportunity to serve children, families, and communities in refugee settlements—many of whom are struggling to survive with little or nothing. Despite these hardships, our partners were deeply moved by the unwavering joy and faith they encountered.
One team member shared, “It was incredibly powerful to witness the profound impact of local pastors working alongside the transformative power of FOOD, PLAY, and STORY. The results were undeniable—many children are visibly healthier, with clearer skin and fuller bodies, thanks to the nourishment provided by OneMeal.”
Beyond meeting physical needs, the team had the privilege of watching children grow in their faith. They also spent time encouraging and praying over the in-country staff, who God is using to share hope with young hearts across Uganda.
THE POWER OF HOPE ZONES IN PANAMA
Our Hope Zones in Panama continue to thrive, with 6 new ones launched this past quarter, bringing the total to 11. Our team recently had the privilege of being on the ground to witness the growth of our Global Communities firsthand.
Though many young girls in the region face the harsh reality of becoming child brides, some as young as 10 years old, we continue to see God bringing the opportunity to share His love. In these moments, we are able to remind them of their intrinsic worth and value in the eyes of their Heavenly Father. When one small girl was asked how we could pray for her, she simply requested, “for protection.” Our hearts break at their circumstances, yet we remain committed to sharing God’s great love at StoryClubs where KIDStory draws them to interact with God’s Word. Here, through discipleship and the working of the Holy Spirit, we pray for change in the trajectory of age-old cultural practices.
One of the most impactful conversations from the trip was with a local pastor:
Q: How long have you been a pastor here?
A: Four years.
Q: Have you seen a difference in the children?
A: Absolutely! Before, I didn’t know how to help them. Now, every week, the children bring their friends. They love it.
Q: How has this impacted you as their pastor?
A: It was an answer to my prayers.
Q: (In tears) What about the food? Has it helped?
A: Yes. Before, children would faint from hunger, sometimes going 1-2 days without food. Now, no more fainting.
This conversation is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do — to empower, transform, and bless. Thank you for standing with us in bringing hope and healing to children and communities around the world.
