On July 31st, the World Food Prize Foundation gathered Iowans from across the state for the 18th annual Iowa Hunger Summit. With over 400 Iowans registered, 75 counties and more than 200 organizations represented, this was a remarkable convergence of community organizations, businesses, government agencies, religious groups, academia and other stakeholders, all unified in the mission to eradicate hunger. During the event Governor Kim Reynolds presented the Iowa SHARES Award to Dr. James Blessman for his decades-long commitment to nourishing children in South Africa, an achievement that has impacted thousands of lives around the world. In her remarks she stated: "Blessman International isn’t just there for the South African people for a day, for a week, or even a year. It’s really focused on giving them the skills that they need to provide for themselves through training, gardening and agriculture. In other words, it offers the lifelong gift of self-sufficiency."
The Iowa SHARES award is a tribute to former Governor Robert D. Ray who spearheaded the Iowa Sends Help to Aid Refugees and End Starvation campaign. Through his Iowa-based nonprofit, Blessman International, Dr. Blessman has spearheaded the creation of feeding stations, freshwater wells and a program that serves over four million meals annually throughout South Africa.
