The Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award Nominations Are Now Open

Nominations for the Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award are now open through April 15, 2025. 

The World Food Prize Foundation established the Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award in 2013 to recognize a current Iowan who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in uplifting their community with dedicated humanitarian service that confronts hunger either at home or abroad.

“The Iowa SHARES Award embodies the service of Governor Ray and his heart for people in need,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “Iowa has a long history of humanitarian work and the Iowa SHARES Award properly honors those Iowans who have shown incredible leadership and innovation tackling the challenges of food and nutrition security we face today.” 

The 2024 Iowa SHARES award was presented to Dr. Jim Blessman, for his global humanitarian work through his nonprofit, Blessman International. Blessman International has established 400 feeding stations worldwide, constructed 11 feeding hubs, drilled 60 freshwater wells and installed 300 waterless toilet systems. Additionally, the organization’s feeding program now prepares and serves over 4,000,000 meals each year through a network reaching more than 50,000 people throughout South Africa.

"Receiving this award, established to honor Governor Robert Ray, whose legacy of humanitarian work continues to inspire us all, is an honor and humbling experience,” Blessman said. "I am profoundly grateful to God for calling me to this work and enabling us to feed tens of thousands of children each month.”

Nominees should have a strong connection to Iowa and will be evaluated based on their impact, leadership, persistence and humanitarian service that confronts hunger at home or abroad—qualities that reflect those demonstrated by Governor Robert D. Ray in his work on humanitarian assistance and service. They must be living and in sufficient health to attend and provide an acceptance speech at the Iowa Hunger Summit.
 
For more information and to nominate: www.iowahungersummit.org/SHARESnominate.