MannaPack 2025: Interview with Sandra Caskey
ghm-globaladminInterview with Sandra Caskey: The Heart Behind MannaPack
This October, hundreds of volunteers will gather for the MannaPack 2025 event—a weekend of hope, purpose, and impact. Ahead of the big day, we sat down with Sandra Caskey, co-founder and executive director of Global Humanitarian Mission (GHM), to hear her heart for this work and why MannaPack matters.
Q: Sandra, can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey with Global Humanitarian Mission?
My name is Sandra Caskey, and I co-founded Global Humanitarian Mission three years ago after more than 25 years in development work. GHM was born out of a calling, not a career. It’s a vocation, a commitment to serve “the least of these”—the abandoned, the forgotten, the communities others overlook or avoid.
“Every time we serve, both the giver and the receiver encounter the love of Christ in real, tangible ways. That’s what drives me.”
Q: For those who may be new to it, what exactly is the MannaPack event?
MannaPack is an event where people from all walks of life—families, churches, schools, businesses—come together to pack meals for children and families facing hunger around the world.
It’s not just about the meals (though every scoop truly saves lives). It’s about fellowship, teamwork, and being part of something bigger than ourselves.
“You might never meet the child who eats the meal you packed, but you can know without a doubt that your hands gave hope.”
Q: Why do we host MannaPack here in our community—what’s the bigger vision?
Because compassion begins at home. When we host MannaPack locally, it doesn’t just transform lives across the ocean—it transforms lives right here in our own backyard.
The bigger vision is this: to build a movement of hope. Every meal packed in our town is a seed of change that grows across the globe. At the same time, it strengthens our community. Children learn they can make a difference. Families bond over service. Businesses see their teams grow closer.
“It reminds us we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.”
Q: What makes MannaPack different from other volunteer events?
It’s action. It’s joy. It’s togetherness.
This isn’t just writing a check or showing up for an hour of service. You roll up your sleeves, work side by side with strangers, and leave as friends. There’s laughter, competition, even music and dancing.
“When the last box is packed, you can see it, touch it, pray over it—you know exactly what you accomplished. That’s powerful.”
Q: Can you share a story from the field that shows the real impact of MannaPack meals?
There are so many, but one that stays with me is from Haiti.
I met a mother who had gone weeks without real food for her children. She was boiling leaves in water with a bit of sugar—just so her children could fill their stomachs. When MannaPack meals arrived, it was like salvation had come. Suddenly, her children had real nutrition—rice, vegetables, soy, vitamins.
“Within weeks their health changed: no more swollen bellies, no more orange-tinted hair from malnutrition.”
I’ve seen it in Honduras, too. Children going to school not just for education but for that one hot MannaPack meal a day. That one plate of food sustains them through the next day.
“These meals are more than food—they’re hope, dignity, and life.”
Q: Last year, over 287,000 meals were packed. What does that translate to in real lives touched?
It means 287,712 meals for children and families who would otherwise go hungry. That’s one meal a day, every day, for an entire year.
“Because of 800 volunteers here, children on the other side of the world had food and a chance to thrive. That’s impact.”
Q: What’s one of your favorite memories from last year’s event?
Honestly? The joy.
The room was buzzing with energy—families, churches, schools, even corporations packing side by side. Teams had fun names, there were competitions, and yes, plenty of laughter under all those hairnets. I loved watching kids as young as five work alongside grandparents.
“And at the end, as we prayed over the boxes, you could feel it—this wasn’t just a project. It was a mission of love.”
Q: What’s it like being in the room during MannaPack?
It’s electric. Scoops moving in rhythm, smiles on faces, laughter echoing through the room. Strangers becoming teammates. Everyone has a role, and everyone matters.
“When the last box is sealed, there’s a hush. A silence filled with awe at what’s been accomplished in just two hours.”
Q: For someone who has never joined before, why should they come this October?
Because you’ll step into something bigger than yourself. You’ll see laughter meet purpose. You’ll see teamwork create hope.
“Every scoop you pack is a promise—one child won’t go hungry tonight.”
It’s not just about feeding bodies. It’s about feeding hearts, building community, and being the change you want to see in the world.
Q: What do you hope participants walk away with after the event?
I’ll let last year’s volunteers answer that:
“I came to pack meals, but I left as part of something bigger.”
“I didn’t just pack food—I packed prayer, love, and hope into every bag.”
“The energy was amazing. I signed up for one shift and stayed all day.”
That’s the transformation. People come to give, but they leave changed.
“Together, we’re not just filling stomachs—we’re filling lives with hope, dignity, and love.”
Closing
MannaPack isn’t just an event. It’s a movement. And Sandra’s invitation is clear:
