In a small community called Rodeo #2 in the Madriz area of Nicaragua, people make a living and feed their own families by farming. But their dry, tropical weather often hinders the crops of beans, corn, and other vegetables, leaving many hungry and poor.

This is true for Jose. Although he tries to help care for his granddaughter Mileydi, his harvests are often not enough to sustain his daughter Emma and Mileydi. Together, they live in a tiny house without running water. As the second-poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean, Nicaragua is home to nearly 3 million (half the country’s population) who live on less than a $1 a day.

Three years ago, Mileydi started attending a feeding program at Immaculate School run by FMSC partner Fabretto Children’s Foundation. At the time, she was four years old and weighed only 32 pounds. She began receiving a MannaPack™ Rice meal every day, along with 350 other elementary and secondary students.

Now seven years old, Mileydi is in first grade and excelling in her studies. She’s alert and able to pay attention thanks to regular nutrition from the FMSC meals in her diet. The same can be said of her fellow students–Immaculate School reports higher attendance and better behavior. Willing parents can also get an education. Many help cook and serve the MannaPack, learning how to prepare food as well as the importance of nutrients.

Through Fabretto, FMSC is helping feed thousands of school children across Nicaragua each year. Effective education must start with nutrition and food.

Here’s our latest FMSC meal shipping report. As we begin the summer, we still need volunteers to pack the meals we’ve promised to our partners around the world. Sign up now: fmsc.org/volunteer

Every year, thousands of volunteers from Target, UPS, Bank of America, Best Buy, Wells Fargo, and other organizations pack meals at FMSC. Many companies also decide to host their own FMSC MobilePack event.

Here’s the most recent FMSC shipping report.

Our 2013 Illinois Benefit was a huge success! Here are some photos from the evening.