Thomas More University hosts Mary’s Meals founder and CEO as an example of living the University mission

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The mission statement of Thomas More University invites students to examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world and responsibility to others. This mission statement is embodied by the nonprofit, global charity, Mary’s Meals, whose founder, Magnus McFarland, was invited to speak at Thomas More University, Sept. 11.

President of Thomas More University, Joseph Chillo, opened the event saying, “This evening’s event is a wonderful testament to the power of giving and the importance of understanding our place in the world and our responsibility to others … Supporting Mary’s Meals is a way in which this mission is put into action.”

Mary’s Meals, named in dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, feeds three million children in 16 of the world’s poorest countries.

“Our vision is that every child in this world should at least be able to eat one good meal in their place of education. That’s absolutely possible. I think the story of Mary’s Meals so far proclaims that this is possible. There is no good reason for hunger to exist in this world,” said Mr. McFarland.

To ensure organizational sustainability for the countries in which they operate, three crucial things must co-exist, said Mr. McFarland. First, the work must be owned by the native communities. Locals must volunteer to prepare and serve the food. This creates the infrastructure for longevity. Second, the food that they serve must be locally sourced in order to support the local farmers and economy. Lastly, the work must be done in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Mary’s Meals, it’s a gift. There’s lots of things we can say about Mary’s Meals but in a very particular way, it’s a fruit of prayer. It’s something we really do believe belongs to our Blessed Mother,” said Mr. McFarland.

What is now a far-reaching, global organization, started in the bed of a truck and a trip across Europe to a Bosnian refugee camp. After watching news about the Bosnian war, Mr. McFarland and his brother spent three weeks requesting donations from their community.

“We found ourselves riding this old truck out of our village in Scotland. We drove it four days across Europe and delivered these things into a refugee camp,” he said.

When Mr. McFarland returned home, he was expecting to return to life as normal. However, the Lord had other plans, he said.

“God had a different plan because when I got home to Scotland, there was this mountain of goods and clothing. People just kept on donating, turning up with carloads of donations,” said Mr. McFarland.

After much prayer and consideration, Mr. McFarland left his job as a salmon farmer, sold his house and said to the Lord in prayer, “I’ll keep doing this as long as people need our help and as long as people keep giving.”

Thirteen years later, three million children are being fed daily, and local economies are being stimulated, thanks to Mr. McFarland’s answer to a call from the Lord.

Mr. McFarland emphasized his own story to those in attendance, encouraging small acts of kindness and charity. “When I think about Mary’s Meals globally, I just think about it like a series of lots and lots of little acts of love. None of us do anything spectacular on our own. All of us just doing what we can and when that’s combined, it creates this thing that’s really changing the world.”