Sitting in the lobby of the DoubleTree Hotel, Howard Schiffer doesn't look like an angel.

The graying 59-year-old dressed in blue jeans, with a smart phone and an assistant by his side, has all the trappings of an executive. But when he talks about his 15-year-old company Vitamin Angels, his wings begin to show.

"I want to make the world a more peaceful place by eliminating disease. This is doable in our lifetime," he said.

By distributing key vitamins to the most malnourished children in the saddest regions of the planet, Schiffer has become a global godsend.

"Chronic malnutrition kills more people than AIDS, malaria or TB. Most people are unaware of that," he said.

One person who was aware of Schiffer is Mayor Edward "Bud" Caulfield. He recognized Schiffer before the crowd at Boarding House Park last night.

"He's a very extraordinary man who's visited 40 countries, some of the poorest in the world," said Caulfield, several hours before handing Schiffer the keys to the city.

This pioneer of peace from Santa Barbara, Calif., is respected enough in the natural products industry that Lowell Summer Music Series Programming Director Peter Aucella gave him the stage before reggae rocker Michael Franti performed -- a rare move for these Lowell National Historical Park-supported shows.

"We have shied away from causes, but many of our supporters said we will sponsor you if you shed light on these people," said Aucella, who has taken a shine to natural products, tapping companies like Seventh Generation and Mary's Gone Crackers to support the series.

This has given the venue a socially conscious, green aura that has attracted dynamic leaders like Schiffer, who said he "goes where the action is."

To illustrate the "extreme need" of vitamins for malnourished children under 5, Schiffer carries two pictures. One is of a little girl in Haiti with stick-like arms, glazed eyes and a blemished face. The second is of a happy, healthy, clear-eyed girl taken a year later after Vitamin Angels swooped into her village.

"They look at us as a gift. We go into these villages and they are filled by people who might be involved in terrorism, but when we tell them what we are doing, they are so thankful that someone has shown up who cares," said Schiffer.

The former owner of a line of powered vitamins, got the idea to mobilize his efforts after a 1994 Southern California earthquake left many malnourished children in its wake. Vitamin A is the most in-need because it can stop blindness.

Besides being named an honorary Lowell citizen, Schiffer had another reason for crossing the country this weekend. Franti, a social change musical activist who reaches out to the less-privileged, was on his list of people to meet. He hopes the 6-foot, 6-inch dread locked singer will spread the word that proper nutrition saves lives and join Vitamin Angels on their next quest.

"My staff keeps telling me you have to get Franti, Franti," said Schiffer. "We just hope we can bring the world together."

On a side note, Schiffer's house burned down in a fire in May and although he is homeless, he feels, as an angel might.

"I had just come back from Kenya at the time and was asked by the L.A. Times 'how do you feel?' Although I was homeless I have friends I can stay with, it's a worse situation over there. I am truly blessed."