It Starts With a Meal™
TAKE ACTION TODAY TO END HUNGER TOMORROW. It starts with a meal. It leads to resilience, self-sufficiency, education, empowerment and bright futures in communities worldwide.
EDUCATION STARTS WITH A MEAL
We launched our It Starts With a Meal™ movement to share that the journey toward self-reliance and bright futures begins with a single nutritious meal. Our work often starts with a meal by distributing nutritious meals through school feeding programs, responding to emergencies and implementing agriculture and income-generating initiatives to overcome hunger.
RECOVERY STARTS WITH A MEAL
In Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste, 27-year-old Mario lives and attends university. Before the pandemic, Mario lived in a hostel in the city with his brother and sister, and they all worked to split the cost of rent while also attending university. However, the pandemic then caused Mario to lose work opportunities. In April 2021, a flood also destroyed the hostel and everything the siblings owned. Through a partnership with Salesian Missions, Rise Against Hunger provides cash-based grants for local food to be purchased and distributed to refugees and people in schools, boarding houses, orphanages and more in Timor-Leste. Mario was one of the recipients of the local and regional procurement efforts. It guaranteed he had healthy food for the foreseeable future as he works to send money back to his family.
OPPORTUNITY STARTS WITH A MEAL
Five-year-old Uyen lives in Tay Giang, a mountainous district in Vietnam, with her family. While both of her parents work hard to support their household, they are still considered low-income according to community standards. Uyan often missed meals throughout the day, a common occurrence in the region. After being approached by school officials who work diligently with the community to convince parents to put their children in school, Uyen’s parents began sending her to Blahee-Anong Kindergarten. Since being enrolled in the kindergarten two years ago, Uyen has flourished as a student and, through a partnership with Children of Vietnam, is provided nutritious Rise Against Hunger meals daily. Uyen loves going to school, making new friends, playing with toys and enjoys the delicious meals that are provided to her throughout the day.
Real-Life Impact Across the Globe
School Meals Help Build Confidence for Uyen in Vietnam
Our Trip to the Philippines with Zambrero: Highlighting How the Work to End Hunger Starts With a Meal
Find Out How School Meals Fill Nutritional Gaps for Children Like 5-Year-Old Băng
Attendance Increased 35% at Five Schools in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe – Find Out Why
By Sharing Farming Techniques, Michael Strengthens His Community
Night Is Expanding Her Farm and Increasing Crop Yields in South Sudan
MEALPOWER
In honor of World Food Day, Chef Showdown is our annual culinary battle royale between talented chefs to create a dish inspired by one of the countries or regions that Rise Against Hunger serves. Download the recipe cards to try your hand at making these globally-inspired dishes!
TRY ALL THE #MEALPOWER RECIPES!
In honor of the It Starts With a Meal movement, check out these special dishes from food and lifestyle influencers. Download the recipe cards to try your hand at making these globally-inspired dishes!
