I was paired with my travel writer friend, Beth Blair, and we somehow ended up with a handful of other volunteers who weren’t from the bloggers’ group. I’m not sure if it was the hairnet or the uplifting feeling of helping someone else — but before long I found myself joking, dancing and singing along to the music they piped in while we scooped, bagged and sealed more than 13,000 meals for the people in Haiti. We had a blast, even if we did look ridiculous.

Silliness aside, I was so impressed with Feed My Starving Children. The staff was great, and I appreciated the real-world way they communicated with us about the sobering issue of world hunger. We started our shift with enthusiasm, and a true sense of the importance of what we were about to do. I’m excited to have found an organization for my family to support — and I look forward to showing my daughters how to share our good fortune with others.

Can’t wait for the next event with my fellow Minnesota bloggers — all of whom are fascinating, talented and wonderful people. Thanks to Melissa Berggren for organizing, and Lenore Moritz for inviting me!

Photo courtesy Feed My Starving Children

Tonight’s event, which was organized by Melissa Berggren (@MarketingMamaMN), kicks off with a networking gathering at Houlihan’s restaurant in Eagan, later moving on to the Feed My Starving Children facility.

Berggren, a hospital marketing professional and Minnesota blogger herself, says that although the event was organized before the Haiti earthquake, “Our time and work are now needed more than ever.” 

“There are so many powerful voices in the Minnesota blogging community,” says Berggren. “We’ve formed amazing connections online, but many of us have not met in person before. I wanted to pull together a blogger event that’s fun and allows for networking, but is meaningful and inspirational as well.”
 
According to Berggren, event participants come from diverse backgrounds. “We’ve got mommy bloggers, fashion bloggers, foodie bloggers, writer bloggers, a recruiter, agency bloggers, journalist bloggers, weight loss bloggers, corporate bloggers — what a great list!”

To volunteer or donate to Feed My Starving Children, please visit their website.