Saving 500 children from malnutrition

Dear GlobalGiving friends,

We are excited to share the latest updates on the Saving 500 Children from Malnutrition project, an initiative committed to reducing food insecurity and enhancing the nutritional well-being of vulnerable children in Mexico City and the State of Mexico. Through this program, we strive to support the physical and cognitive development of children aged 6 to 17 by providing them with nutritious meals and promoting healthy eating habits that can create a lasting impact on their lives and communities.

A dining hall was built with the capacity to serve up to 500 members per day. This space ensures that children have enough energy for their activities, can eat in a calm environment, and enjoy a balanced diet suited to their age and height. Comedor Santa María was hired due to its extensive experience in managing dining facilities.

Impact:

By the end of 2024, the number increased to an average of 231 members per day. It is important to note that demand for the service continues to grow, and on some days, we have served between 240 and 250 children. Our maximum capacity is 250 meals per day.

Challenges:

The increasing cost of food has posed a considerable challenge, affecting our ability to consistently source high-quality ingredients. Additionally, ensuring that all 500 children benefit from the program has required greater community outreach efforts. To sustain and expand our impact, we are actively pursuing new partnerships and funding opportunities.

Looking ahead:

We are currently feeding 280 children per day. In the months ahead, our goal is to expand our reach and serve all 500 children in our program. We plan to strengthen our meal services and introduce new workshops focused on community gardening and sustainable cooking practices, reinforcing our commitment to long-term impact. With the ongoing support of GlobalGiving and our partners, we remain dedicated to fostering a healthier future for the children of Mexico City and the State of Mexico.

Acknowledgments:

We are deeply grateful to GlobalGiving and our generous donors for making this initiative a reality. Your support is changing lives, bringing hope, and helping to build a future where children can grow healthier and happier.

Thank you for being part of our mission to combat malnutrition and strengthen our communities. We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress in the next report.

Dear GlobalGiving friends,

We are pleased to share an update on the Saving 500 Children from Malnutrition project, which aims to combat food insecurity and improve the nutritional health of vulnerable children in Mexico City and the State of Mexico. This initiative is dedicated to supporting the physical and cognitive development of children between the ages of 6 and 15, ensuring they receive nutritious food and learn about healthy eating habits that can positively impact their lives and communities.

Project Overview

Malnutrition remains a persistent issue affecting children in underserved communities in Mexico, impacting their growth, school performance, and overall well-being. To address this challenge, our project provides children with nutritious meals and educational resources on balanced diets and healthy lifestyles. We work closely with local families, teachers, and healthcare professionals to strengthen community resilience against malnutrition.

Impact

Since the project’s inception, we have observed a noticeable improvement in the physical health and school performance of participating children. Teachers report higher energy levels and concentration spans in students, which translate into better academic results. Additionally, parents have shared positive feedback, noting the benefits of new knowledge on family meal planning and budgeting for nutritious foods.

1. The Club went from 130 children per day in the first half of 2023 to 250 today.
2. We impacted 300 families during the summer, thanks to extended hours from 10:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m., thus ensuring that members were in a safe place while their parents worked. It is important to mention that this time of the year is one of the most vulnerable for children, since their parents continue with their normal activities and many of them have to stay home alone, with great vulnerability to violence and abuse of prohibited substances.
3. We surveyed 153 members who use the dining room about their eating habits prior to the meals they receive at the Club's facilities, their perception of their energy after eating, and their enjoyment of attending the dining room. The most salient results of the survey are as follows:                                                                      - -    - * Energy for activities: 79.7% of the members surveyed mentioned that the food provides them with enough energy to perform their activities within the Club.                                                                                                  * Eating at ease: 95.4% of respondents indicated that they eat more at ease in the Club. These results fill us with pride and confirm that the dining room not only satisfies a basic need, but also contributes to the general well-being of our members.
4. 99.3% of members like attending the dining room. Among the reasons mentioned were the interaction with other members, the free atmosphere, and the enjoyment of the food. The biggest surprise was that in the past, they did not often interact with children of the same age. This has generated a change of attitude and a desire not to be absent.

These results fill us with pride and confirm that the dining room not only satisfies a basic need, but also contributes to the general well-being of our members.

Challenges

The rising cost of food has been a significant challenge, impacting our ability to consistently provide high-quality ingredients. Additionally, reaching the entire target group of 500 children has required more community outreach efforts. We are actively seeking further partnerships and funding opportunities to maintain and expand our service reach.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, we aim to increase the number of beneficiaries to reach the full target of 500 children. We plan to enhance our meal programs and expand workshop offerings to include community gardening and sustainable cooking practices, furthering our mission to create lasting change. With continued support from GlobalGiving and other partners, we are committed to building a healthier future for the children of Mexico City and the State of Mexico.

Acknowledgments

We extend our deepest gratitude to GlobalGiving and our donors for their invaluable support, which makes this initiative possible. Your contributions are transforming lives, providing hope, and laying the foundation for a generation of healthier, happier children.

Thank you for standing with us on this journey to eliminate malnutrition and uplift our communities. We look forward to sharing more progress in our next report.