Grace* was hungry and still refused food. This wasn’t a picky eater. It was severe malnutrition.

When a child goes too long without enough food, the body goes into survival mode. Energy drops. Digestion slows. Even appetite can disappear — not because the child doesn’t need food, but because their body is trying to conserve strength.

Grace weighed less than 18 pounds, almost 5 pounds short of her ideal weight. At that size, 5 pounds too little is a big deal. She was weak and often sick.

A parent can live with a lot, but watching your child waste away is gut-wrenching.

Then the meals arrived — because people like you gave.

Her mom remembers the moment she finally felt relief: Grace was eating again. Not picking at food. Not turning away. Eating with an appetite.

Thankfully, FMSC has partners in the Philippines who could distribute food to Grace and her family. After a 13-week nutrition program with MannaPack® meals, Grace gained nearly 7 pounds!

But the biggest change wasn’t a number on the scale. Her mom said Grace got her energy back. She’s having fun again, and she’s being a kid.

That’s what reliable nutrition can do, and it’s what you make possible. Nutrition helps a child’s body catch up. A child can’t pause their growth until life gets easier, and your generosity helps provide the nutrition they need right now. It gives a parent the gift of a healthy child.

Donations today help put food into a child’s hands right when it matters — when families don’t have enough and kids are still growing.

When you give, you’re helping meals get packed and shipped so children can eat, grow stronger and keep up with the life in front of them.

Will you give today to help more hungry kids make it back to the table?

*Name changed for privacy.