Raymond is Curbing Child Hunger with kidsPACK

Meet Raymond Thogode, volunteer for kidsPACK, a non-profit that works to improve lives and restore dignity for less fortunate children in Polk County and beyond.

Over a decade ago, Raymond and his fellow Browning Moving and Storage employees began dropping off extra food to local schools, where they quickly saw a desperate need. Many children in Polk County were without enough to eat. Raymond and his coworkers decided to start kidsPACK to help curb child hunger.

Flash forward to 2022, and kidsPACK now feeds 3,000 kids in 80 schools across Polk County. kidsPACK gives each child in need a backpack full of food to take home for the weekend. Today a total of 300 volunteers work to ensure children can have food when they are not in school. kidsPACK currently shares warehouse space with Browning Moving and Storage. When massive food donations come in, employees stop their for-profit orders and help assemble the food packages for students.

Raymond is proud of the hard work his team at Browning Moving and Storage has done to provide food to families and children who are hungry. Raymond said, "It's a great pleasure, seeing my employees dig in as a team to do whatever is necessary. Our employees love to help and be a part of kidsPACK. The slogan for kidsPACK is 'just feed kids.' It's a simple slogan. There is no agenda; we just want to feed kids."

Raymond is a central part of the founding of kidsPACK and how it operates today. When asked about his contributions, Raymond always defers to the efforts of his moving employees, the full-time staff of kidsPACK, and the other volunteers who make the entire process happen.

Raymond believes that companies and organizations can make a difference in the community. "We need companies to step up and serve the community. Our staff enjoys it, and it brings everyone together for a common goal," explained Raymond. 

Raymond and his team make an immeasurable impact on the children and their families in Polk County. What a powerful and humbling message from a company that created a non-profit to help others in need.

Do you know someone who is making a difference in our community? Nominate them to be featured in our #BeMoreKind series to help spread kindness across our community!