Feed the world with the 8 spirits
By Bryan Lai
I've volunteered at Feed My Starving Children for The 8 Foundation many times, and each time I like to try something different. On this visit, I chose to be a labeler — yes, I picked it. No one forced me. I saw the stickers, the empty bags, and the peaceful corner of the room... and I said, “That's the job for me.”
Labeling doesn't get the same attention as packing or sealing. You're not scooping rice or sealing bags with loud machines. You're just sitting at a table, peeling stickers and putting them on plastic bags. Sounds simple, right? It is — but it still matters.
Each label has important info, like what's in the bag, how to cook it, and when it expires. Without that, I bag can't be used. So while the job isn't super flashy, it's definitely needed. And if you put a label on crooked or fold it by mistake? That bag gets tossed. No pressure or anything.
Once I got going, I found a rhythm. Peel, stick, smooth it down and repeat. It was kind of relaxing — like arts and crafts, but with slightly higher stakes. At the table, a few other volunteers were working too. We talked a little, joked a bit, and helped each other fix the occasional wrinkly label. It was chill, but still productive.
Meanwhile, across the room, the packing stations were going wild. Every time a team filled a box of food, someone would yell “WOO!” — and then several other people would “WOO!” right back, like an echo across the whole room. I decided to keep track of how many times I heard “woo” during the session. I lost count a few times, but by the end, I had written down 52 woos. That’s right — fifty-two. I'm not sure if that's a new record, but it felt like it.
Even though the labelers weren't cheering every two minutes, I still felt like I was part of the action. Every single bag being packed and sealed had to start with a label — and I helped make that happen.
By the end of the session, the staff told us how many meals we packed together. The number was huge. I looked at the stacks of labeled bags we'd finished and felt proud knowing those were the first step in making those meals possible.
After doing this so many times, I've learned that every job matters. Whether you're lifting boxes, scooping ingredients, or just peeling stickers, you're helping. Nothing works without every role coming together. And honestly, it’s kind of cool knowing that my quiet little job at the labeling table helped get food to kids who really need it.
So yeah, I chose to be a labeler — And I'd choose it again. It might not be the loudest or most exciting spot in the room, but it's calm, focused, and important. Plus, I didn't spill rice everywhere or break a sealing machine, so yay. And next time? I might go for 60 woos.
As I mentioned before, I volunteered here with the 8 Foundation group, and I've been in this organization for a long time, and at this point they kind of feel like a family. They do volunteering in all sorts of things like Senior Centers, Hospitals, and of course, FMSC. You are welcome to join 8 Foundation and enjoy the moments to help people in need!
