Oklahoma women lead effort to deliver 11 million meals to starving Haitians

What began as a daunting challenge to deliver 11 million meals to starving people in Haiti has turned into a mission of determination, faith, and generosity, led by two Oklahoma women.

Miranda Burcham and Lisa Dooley were forever changed after a mission trip to Haiti, where they witnessed the dire conditions firsthand.

"Because I thought, what can I do? It seemed so hopeless... Think about going back 300 years in time. No modern conveniences... No electricity... No running water," Burcham said. "It is so hard to explain what it's like unless you have been there."

The political unrest and gang violence in Haiti have left millions facing starvation, with reports showing that one in two Haitians are in acute hunger. As Burcham and Dooley prayed for a way to help, they received a call from Drew Garrison with Mission of Hope.

"He said, 'Miranda, I have something you can do, but I don't know if you are going to like it.' and I said, 'What is it?'" Burcham recalled.

Mission of Hope had 40 containers filled with 11 million meals ready to be sent to Haiti, but it would cost $1 million to transport them. Without hesitation, Burcham and Dooley made the commitment.

"I looked around the group and said, let's take all 40," Bircham said. "I sent a text back to Drew: 'We're in for all forty.' and he texted right back and said, 'I knew you were going to say that.'"

Despite not having raised a single dollar, the women launched the “Race to 11 Million Meals,” enlisting their Arbonne business partners, family, friends, and even strangers to join the effort. Donations poured in, and now they are close to reaching their $1 million goal.

"It will not be 11 million people getting one meal… they have a plan in place to get three to six months of meals to the most desperate parts… so it's sustainable," Dooley explained.

The women’s journey has been filled with humbling moments. Dooley recalled an encounter with a starving boy in Haiti.

"But I had a granola bar, and instead of him eating that entire granola bar… he broke it up into three parts and he shared," she said. "And I was just ripped because he is literally starving. His little belly is distended from worms, and I just thought, what a lesson to myself."

Through this mission, Burcham and Dooley have found their purpose.

"There is a song that says, 'Give me your eyes so that I can see the things that really matter,' and that is what we are doing," Burcham said. "We are seeing the things that really matter... But what we won't do is look away from it."

The mission is far from over. Burcham and Dooley will soon return to Haiti with nearly 200 people, including several Oklahomans, to continue their work.

Donations can be made at the Mission of Hope website for those interested. They told News 9 on Saturday that they raised the $1 million.