We've been dreaming of bringing this video to life for years. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the people, experiences, and heart behind our newest film about the impact of a daily meal.
Some stories take a little longer to tell. This one has been on our hearts for years.
At Rice Bowls, we spend a lot of time talking about the importance of providing consistent, nutritious meals for children around the world. It's what we do, and it's something we're pretty passionate about! But we've always wanted to find a way to show people what that commitment actually looks like, not just in numbers or statistics, but in the everyday lives of the children and caregivers we partner with.
We wanted to tell a story that would make people laugh, connect with the people behind our mission, and walk away understanding why food every. single. day. matters so much.
And after years of dreaming about it, we finally got to bring that story to life.
From an Idea to India
This August, our Executive Director, Johnny, traveled to India to meet up with Sajina and Raky, our Child Advocates, to film something we'd been dreaming up for quite some time.
Joining him were Andrew, a longtime Rice Bowls supporter who generously volunteered his time to step in front of the camera, Rosalyn, who helped bring the story to life, and filmmaker Aaron David Thomas, founder of Thomas Creative Agency.
Aaron came highly recommended through our friends at the Hands and Feet Project, and from the beginning, it felt like a great fit. Not only did he bring years of professional filmmaking experience, but he also shared a genuine passion for telling stories that matter.
Together, the team set out to create a video that would help people see both sides of the Rice Bowls story: the people who give and the people whose lives are impacted by that generosity.
The result? "Every. Single. Day."
The film follows Kyle, a man from Ohio whose predictable daily routine includes supporting children he's never met. When he finally travels to India, he discovers that the impact of his giving is much more personal than he ever imagined.
We also meet Sneha, a caregiver responsible for 17 children. Through her story, we see how having dependable meals changes the daily rhythm of a children's home, giving caregivers the freedom to focus more fully on loving, teaching, and raising the children in their care.
It's a story about food, yes. But it's also about relationships, belonging, and the beautiful things that happen when people show up for one another.
And as it turns out, the experience of making the film reflected many of those same themes.
Meet the Man Behind the Camera
Aaron David Thomas has had a pretty fascinating career.
As the founder of Thomas Creative Agency, he creates television shows, documentaries, feature films, and content that helps organizations tell their stories. His work has taken him everywhere from Richard Branson's island to touring with Tom Petty.
Despite those remarkable experiences, it's often the quieter stories that mean the most to him.
“I'm grateful for those experiences, but some of the work closest to my heart involves people whose names you might never hear otherwise, quietly making a difference in the lives of others.”
For Aaron, filmmaking is about more than creating something beautiful. It's an opportunity to connect people to stories worth sharing.
“As a Christian, I want the stories I tell to reflect God’s love & help people recognize opportunities to put their own love into action.”
That heart for storytelling made him a natural fit for this project. And although he was excited about the opportunity to film in India, he couldn't have anticipated everything the experience would mean to him.
A Different Kind of Behind-the-Scenes Story
When Aaron first heard about the project, he was excited, but he had a few practical questions. After all, filming a scripted production in another country comes with its fair share of unknowns.
"I was also a little unsure how we would pull it off. We were developing a scripted piece, and I thought we would need professional actors."
As the team began filming, though, some of those uncertainties turned into the most meaningful parts of the experience.
One moment in particular stayed with him.
"The woman who played Sneha especially impressed me. When I complimented her acting, she kept telling me it came easily because she had lived that story herself. That stayed with me…”
“I was thinking about a performance, but she was drawing from her life.”
It's a powerful reminder that although the video tells a scripted story, the experiences behind it are very real. The challenges, the relationships, and the relief that comes with knowing children will have food tomorrow are part of everyday life for the people we serve alongside.
And those real-life connections extended far beyond the filming itself.
The People Who Made the Biggest Impression
Aaron had been looking forward to experiencing India's vibrant culture, but what surprised him most was how quickly an unfamiliar place began to feel like home.
"I had looked forward to capturing India's colors and culture, but I hadn't anticipated how familiar the people would feel. Looking back, I realize I had expected our differences to be more noticeable than our connections. Instead, especially within the church community, I felt welcomed like family."
He experienced incredible hospitality from the very people he'd traveled to meet, something that gave him a new perspective on the communities and relationships at the heart of the Rice Bowls mission.
And then, of course, there were the kids.
"The kids at the home had their own interests, hobbies, friendships, and things they loved doing together. At times, they reminded me of the tight-knit crew from The Sandlot. Getting to know their personalities brought so much joy to the project."
We love that comparison! Because while the circumstances of children around the world may look different, so many of the things that make childhood special are wonderfully familiar: friendships, laughter, inside jokes, and the simple joy of being together.
Aaron also found himself inspired by the people working alongside him.
Speaking about Andrew, who played Kyle in the film, Aaron shared:
“He did a wonderful job on camera, but what impressed me most about Andrew was his life outside the film. He’s a full-time firefighter who has taken on additional work so he can give more toward housing and feeding children in India. His generosity gave real depth to the role he was playing.”
Behind the scenes, the team in India helped bring countless details together, from coordinating schedules and locations to gathering the right people for each scene. What could have been a complicated production became an experience filled with collaboration, generosity, and new friendships.
Coming Home With More Than Footage
By the time filming wrapped, Aaron had gained much more than a collection of great shots.
"Now that the video is finished, I look back with fond memories and friendships I hope will last a lifetime. My understanding of the world has grown, and I've developed a slight dependence on chai."
We'd call that a pretty successful trip!
But beyond the memories, the friendships, and the chai, Aaron came away with a deeper understanding of something we've believed at Rice Bowls for a long time.
“What I appreciate most about Rice Bowls is the clarity of its mission. Food, every single day. Meeting that essential need gives the people caring for these children more room to love, teach, and help them grow.”
That really is the heart of it all.
Our partner children's homes are already filled with people who love and care deeply for the children entrusted to them. Our role is to come alongside those caregivers and make sure food is one thing they don't have to worry about.
It's a simple commitment with an extraordinary ripple effect. When meals are dependable, caregivers can devote more of their energy to the things that help children thrive.
And that's the story we wanted this film to tell.
The Story Continues
After years of hoping, planning, and dreaming, getting to share "Every. Single. Day." with the world has been incredibly special for our team.
We're grateful for everyone who helped bring it to life, from the people who generously shared their time and talents to the children, caregivers, and staff who welcomed our crew into their lives.
And we're especially grateful for Aaron, who didn't just capture the story beautifully, but came away with a piece of it himself.
"I love how the film turned out. It carries some of the humor, warmth, and discovery we experienced while making it. My hope is that viewers feel that invitation too, and that some decide to take a trip like Kyle's and experience the work firsthand."
That's our hope, too.
Whether you've been part of the Rice Bowls family for years or you're just getting to know us, we hope this film gives you a little glimpse into the relationships, joy, and everyday moments that make this mission so special.
Because behind every meal is a child, a caregiver, a community, and a story worth telling.
