From Partners to Family
When I first stepped into my role as a Food Program Event Manager at Kids Around the World, I thought my main job would be logistics, coordinating food packing events, managing supplies, making sure everything ran smoothly so hundreds of thousands of meals could be packed and sent to children in need. And yes, that’s part of it. But what I didn’t expect was how relationships would become the heart of this work.
Over the years, I’ve traveled across the country, setting up events in church sanctuaries, school gymnasiums, corporate warehouses, and community centers. I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with pastors, teachers, business teams, students, families, and entire congregations — laughing, sharing stories, and sometimes dancing or singing while we scoop rice, seal bags, stack boxes, and cheer as the gong rings in celebration of the number of meals packed!
Somewhere along the way, something shifted. The “partners” I worked with stopped feeling like partners. We came to know each other’s names, stories, joys, and even struggles. We’ve celebrated milestones, shared meals, prayed together, and experienced conversations and moments that went far beyond the day’s event.
One of those moments happened this past May in Pennsylvania with a church we’ve partnered with for many years. In the middle of their event, a sincere gentleman pulled me aside and said he wanted to add me — and even my wife and daughter — to his daily prayers. That simple act of care caught me off guard. It reminded me that this work is so much more than events and logistics. It’s about being intentionally known, prayed for, and cared for as family. A simple act of love, rooted in genuine care showed how partners become family.
I’ve also left events tired but completely “filled up” because of the people I served alongside. I think back to one group who, after hours of packing meals, joyfully refused to let me clean up alone. They stayed until the very last box was stacked, asking, “What else can we do?” Their determination to serve until everything was done was another reminder: this work isn’t about meals alone. It’s about serving with hearts fully engaged, and the joy that comes from being in it together.
And then there are moments of transformation that have unfolded before me that I’ll never forget. During a packing event for hurricane relief in Florida, it became clear we wouldn’t hit our meal goal unless volunteers stayed late. Many stepped up without hesitation, some even choosing to serve an extra hour! Their selflessness made the difference — and because of them, we met the goal and critical meals reached families recovering from disaster. Another powerful reminder of being in it together.
It reminds me of our theme this year, Give Freely, drawn from Matthew 10:8: “Freely you have received; freely give.” I see this lived out every day in the way our partners pour out their time, energy, resources, joy, and love… without holding back. Because in the end, our efforts aren’t just about meals; they’re about people, about community, about life-changing moments that unfold when we come together side by side for something bigger than ourselves. That choice creates local and global impact that transforms lives — including my own.
These are the moments that feel like my true payday. They’re not measured in dollars, but in relationships built, burdens carried, joy multiplied, and lives changed — like mine.
David McDonald brings energy and heart to his role as Food Program Manager. Whether rallying teammates or celebrating partners at meal-packing events nationwide, he leads with passion and purpose—helping to nourish children around the world and inspire others to join the mission.
For David, the real payday moments come in celebrating our partners—valuing them like family. Those relationships don’t just shape our team’s lives, they extend outward, touching countless others in ways we can see and measure. It’s a ripple effect of global impact, proven through our latest impact study.
Our Hope Zones are living proof: every connection matters. When you partner with Kids Around the World, your support doesn’t just fill bellies, tell stories, or build playgrounds—it multiplies hope across the globe.
Discover the full impact being made in communities through the partnerships David champions at meal-packing events nationwide.
This Hunger Awareness Month, you have the chance to take action that matters every single day!
Whether you’ve packed meals locally or have witnessed their impact globally, your steady support means hunger loses its grip, one plate at a time.
For only $9/month you can feed one child every day of the month!