Packed with love: Melissa’s mission to feed starving children

Meet Melissa Wixson, a passionate volunteer from Dallas who’s making a difference through the Cognizant Outreach program. Among the causes she supports is the fight against child hunger. Melissa gives hope to countless underfed children—and inspires her colleagues to do the same.

A cause close to my heart 

I began volunteering at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) six years ago and it’s been a humbling experience. 

What drew me to FMSC was their commitment to feeding children with not just any meal, but with nutritious, scientifically formulated meals. Their mission aligned with my belief that no child should suffer due to lack of food—something so fundamental yet often out of reach for many.

FMSC also works with local partners to ensure that more than 99% of the meals make it directly into the hands of those who need them. Knowing that each meal I pack could mean survival for a child somewhere in the world makes the impact feel personal and immediate to me. 

Together, we serve

I’ve organized and participated in food packing sessions for our team in Dallas for some time now. Our sessions usually attract between 15 and 40 volunteers, and I always look forward to seeing new faces. Since the start of 2023, we’ve welcomed more than 115 volunteers with 21 returning multiple times!

The best part is that we can bring our kids older than 5 years to join us in packing meal boxes. It’s heartwarming to see the next generation embracing values of compassion and giving back in such a vibrant and jovial environment. They learn about the lives of children facing hardship, sparking valuable conversations about gratitude and empathy.

Growing by helping others

Some activities have the potential to enrich our lives. For me, volunteering has been one of those experiences. Nourishing underfed children through FMSC has, in turn, nourished my soul. In the process, I’ve also developed my leadership skills, built a network of like-minded people and found a sense of purpose. 

Cognizant has been an important enabler in my volunteering journey, providing the support and resources to pursue my passion. I tell my colleagues all the time: find a cause that resonates with you, take charge and be the change you wish to see. We all have the power to make this world a better place!