In a world marked by contrasts—celebrations of abundance on one side and devastating hunger on the other—organizations like Mary’s Meals shine as beacons of hope. While 148 million children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, 931 million tonnes of food are wasted annually. Against this backdrop, Mary’s Meals focuses on a simple yet impactful mission: feeding children in schools and empowering communities to create sustainable change.

Mary’s Meals operates with one clear purpose. “We feed children. That’s the only thing we do,” says Paloma García Ovejero, International Media Manager for the organization. “And we do it very well.”

Present in 16 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the organization reaches nearly 2.5 million children. From the villages of South Sudan to schools in Malawi and Liberia, Mary’s Meals ensures that children receive nourishment and education.

However, the challenge is immense. García Ovejero highlights the urgency: “There are seventy million children around the world who are not able to eat or study. We have a lot to do, and we are in a hurry because they are hungry.”

What makes Mary’s Meals extraordinary is the simplicity of its solution. Feeding a single child for an entire year costs just 22 euros—approximately 10 cents a day. This astonishingly low cost underscores the organization’s message: hunger can be tackled now.

The approach relies heavily on community involvement. By sourcing food locally and engaging volunteers, Mary’s Meals empowers communities to take control of their own development. “We help and then leave once the people are able to do things by themselves,” García Ovejero explains.

This sustainable model ensures that once a community is self-reliant, Mary’s Meals can move to another area in need. It’s a commitment that promises lasting change, not just temporary relief.

Mary’s Meals combines nourishment with education. Its meals, rich in nutrition, are served in schools, encouraging parents to send their children to learn. García Ovejero emphasizes the impact: “If mothers can send their children to school, they know that at least they are not going to die because they will eat once a day.”

This strategy does more than provide food—it transforms lives. With regular schooling, children gain the skills needed to break the cycle of poverty and hunger, paving the way for a brighter future.

From Haiti, where violence and chaos have taken over cities, to Kenya, where droughts have devastated communities, Mary’s Meals is making a profound difference. Its mission reminds us that even small contributions can spark lasting change.

By feeding children, Mary’s Meals offers more than meals—it brings hope, life, and the promise of a better tomorrow. As García Ovejero concludes, “Every meal is a new future for somebody who would otherwise be hungry.”

Mary’s Meals is proof that tackling global hunger is not just possible—it’s achievable, one nourishing meal at a time.