Before setting out, volunteers gathered to recite Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s "A Prayer for Volunteers," wishing that all their actions today create positive connections.

BLIA Chicago regularly organizes FMSC community service events throughout the year, inviting members and Fo Guang families to unite in "packing hope" for hungry children.

Youth and children immersed themselves in food packing, learning to practice the "Three Acts of Goodness" from a young age and fostering kind heart and connections.

From scooping and weighing to sealing the bags, every step is an exercise in mindfulness and an experience in collective collaboration.

This educational service project inspired many families to practice the Three Acts of Goodness together. The organizers thoughtfully provided stepping stools so children could stay engaged away from their phones and discover the joy of helping others.

Through teamwork, Fo Guang volunteers completed 29 out of the 159 total boxes, providing 1,044 meals for those in need.

In the closing group photo, everyone encouraged one another, looking forward to the next service event where even more hands can join to sow the seeds of the Three Acts of Goodness far and wide.

 

On November 22, the Council of Superintendents and the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the BLIA Chicago Chapter led members to participate in community service at “Feed My Starving Children” (FMSC). A total of 24 FGS members joined the initiative to take collective action against hunger.

Located in Aurora, FMSC is a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to providing life-saving meals to hungry children in underdeveloped and disaster-affected regions worldwide, including Haiti, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Gaza.

The day began at 8:00 AM at the Fo Guang Shan Chicago Buddhist Temple, where White Elephant Executive Bin-Xin Wang led the group in reciting “A Prayer for Volunteers” by the FGS founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Venerable Miao Wei then provided a Dharma talk, noting that Master Hsing Yun taught that “service is spiritual practice.” She reminded the volunteers to cultivate mindfulness during the packing and moving process: “Every movement is compassion, every collaboration is harmony, and every smile is strength.”

Upon arrival, the group was greeted by FMSC coordinator Donna, who introduced the over 100 participants present that day. To ensure food safety, everyone followed strict protocols, including wearing hairnets, removing jewelry, and sanitizing hands. The FGS volunteers worked together efficiently to complete 29 boxes, totaling 1,044 meals.

According to FMSC, the volunteers that day processed supplies valued at approximately $10,000. Every dollar provides six meals, and $106 can feed two children for an entire year. This batch of meals will be shipped to Haiti to provide essential nutrition to children in the region.

Superintendent Mai-Ping Chou shared that many parents brought their children along to help the next generation experience the joy of helping others. Steve Haverkos, Superintendent of the English Subchapter, remarked that the cohesion shown by the members is a concrete manifestation of Humanistic Buddhism. YAD member Zi-Xu Feng and her classmate Abby expressed that contributing to the well-being of hungry children was deeply meaningful, while Fen Yu from the Third Subchapter felt grateful to be able to send hope to children in need.

The two-hour activity concluded with a sense of joy and accomplishment. The volunteers hope that their collective efforts will contribute to a world without hunger.