construction of the World Distribution Center began on Convoy’ s new campus just over the James River Freeway bridge from Amazon. The Global Headquarters & Training Center was added in 2023 and is now a very visible presence along the freeway. Its state-of-theart LED screen keeps thousands of passing drivers updated on current responses.
Convoy constantly keeps in focus an ambitious goal— to feed 1 million children every school day by 2030. With the current levels of food distribution, Convoy realized it must dramatically move beyond the capacity of its current donors. Soon, another building will come into view off the north side of the existing structures— the Food Manufacturing & Packaging Center.
On October 30, 2024, Convoy leadership held a dedication ceremony on the site. Construction is expected to accelerate in 2025. The facility’ s precision machinery and automated systems will emphasize quality control and customizable solutions. All with the goal of confronting current global hunger, a growing crisis in the U. S. and around the world that affects more than 900 million people.
For Donaldson, the poor and hungry are not abstractions. When he was 12, he lost his father to a drunk driver. His family was forced to rely on government assistance and the kindness of friends to get by.
“ When my dad was killed, my parents didn’ t have insurance, and the man who hit them didn’ t either,” Donalson remembers.“ Our family survived on welfare and handouts as our single mother did her best to put food on the table. Living on food stamps meant the cupboards were often bare.”
The FAO estimated 790 million people experienced chronic malnutrition in 1994. More than 900 million people are battling hunger today. But Donaldson is optimistic. Convoy of Hope has now helped more than 300 million people around the world, and that number continues to grow more rapidly every year. Every one of those people can be helped
because thousands of everyday friends do what they can to support Convoy’ s initiatives.
When asked if individuals can really stem the tide of poverty in America and globally, Donaldson has a simple answer:“ Yes.”
“ They can use their voice to draw attention to the need,” he elaborates.“ They can roll up their sleeves and offer a helping hand to people in need. And all of us can give a portion of our resources. For people of faith, there is a fourth element— prayer. Put those elements together, and you will see poverty in America and around the world dramatically recede.”
In 2024, Convoy of Hope served 40 program nations and had grown its daily Children’ s Feeding initiative to more than 639,000 schoolchildren.
10 • REPUBLIC CHATTER 2025