Feed the Children

Feed the Children
Name	Feed the Children
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	1979
Founder	Larry Jones
Headquarters	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Area served	Domestic and international
Focus	Humanitarian aid, hunger relief, disaster response, child welfare
Revenue	(varies annually)

Feed the Children is an American nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1979 that provides food, essentials, and disaster relief to vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad. It operates warehouses, logistics networks, and program partnerships to distribute aid, coordinate emergency response, and support long-term development initiatives. The organization engages with faith-based institutions, corporate donors, and multilateral relief actors to deliver services across a range of humanitarian contexts.

History

The organization was established in 1979 by founder Larry Jones in Oklahoma City, amid a period of increased public attention to hunger and poverty in the late 20th century. Early operations emphasized warehouse-based distribution and partnerships with local nonprofits, drawing parallels with logistics models used by The Salvation Army, World Vision, and CARE. During the 1980s and 1990s it expanded domestic programs and began international shipments, interacting with actors such as UNICEF, World Food Programme, and national ministries of health and agriculture. In the 2000s the organization responded to major crises including the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and Hurricane events like Hurricane Katrina, coordinating with organizations like Red Cross and FEMA. Leadership transitions and governance reforms occurred during the 2010s, influenced by scrutiny from watchdogs such as Charity Navigator and media coverage that prompted changes in oversight and financial disclosure practices.

Mission and Programs

The stated mission centers on alleviating childhood hunger and supporting families in crisis through food distribution, health and nutrition programs, education support, and disaster relief. Programmatic strategies include emergency food aid, school feeding initiatives, maternal and child health activities, and livelihood support, aligning with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals and international norms advocated by World Health Organization and United Nations agencies. The organization implements both direct service delivery and grant-based partnerships, collaborating with faith-based networks such as Catholic Charities USA and Samaritan's Purse, as well as secular NGOs like Save the Children and Mercy Corps.

Domestic Operations

Domestically, operations have included distribution centers, food pantries, mobile food distributions, and partnerships with community organizations, tribal councils such as the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, municipal social service departments, and school districts including those in large metropolitan areas like Los Angeles Unified School District and Chicago Public Schools. Disaster response efforts have integrated coordination with federal entities including Federal Emergency Management Agency and state emergency management agencies during events such as Hurricane Harvey and the 2011 Joplin tornado. Domestic programming often leverages in-kind donations from corporations like Walmart, Target Corporation, and food producers, while collaborating with networks such as the Feeding America food bank system.

International Relief and Development

International work has encompassed emergency shipments, nutrition programs, agricultural support, and capacity building in countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Operations have involved coordination with governments including the Government of Kenya, Government of Uganda, and regional organizations such as the African Union and the Caribbean Community. Responses to international crises have seen coordination with multilateral agencies like UNICEF and World Food Programme and joint efforts with international NGOs including Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders. Development projects have addressed food security, maternal-child nutrition, and school feeding, often operating alongside initiatives by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and bilateral donors such as USAID.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding and partnerships have combined individual donations, corporate philanthropic gifts, foundation grants, in-kind contributions, and government contracts. Major corporate partners historically included retailers and consumer goods companies such as PepsiCo, Kellogg Company, and General Mills. Foundation relationships and philanthropic alliances have connected the organization to institutions like the Gates Foundation and regional community foundations. Governmental grant and contract relationships have at times involved agencies including USAID and state social service agencies. Collaborative emergency response has drawn on logistics networks coordinated with private-sector partners like FedEx and UPS.

Governance and Accountability

Governance is structured through a board of directors, executive leadership, and compliance systems for financial reporting, audit processes, and program monitoring. Oversight and accountability have been influenced by external evaluators and watchdogs such as CharityWatch, Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, and Charity Navigator. Past leadership controversies and financial scrutiny led to governance reforms, revised internal controls, and updated transparency measures to align with standards promoted by organizations like Independent Sector and Council on Foundations. Audits and annual reports are used to communicate performance metrics to stakeholders including donors, partner agencies, and government funders.

Impact and Criticism

The organization reports impact in terms of meals distributed, emergency response deliveries, and program beneficiaries served in both the United States and overseas, contributing to humanitarian responses alongside agencies like UNHCR and International Rescue Committee. Criticism has included questions about administrative spending, executive compensation, program evaluation rigor, and the balance between domestic and international allocations—issues similarly debated in contexts involving peers like Feeding America and Save the Children. Media investigations and nonprofit analyses prompted reforms in transparency, donor communication, and operational oversight to address those concerns. Overall assessments by evaluators highlight both substantial delivery capacity and the importance of continual improvements in monitoring, evaluation, and governance.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States