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
Rosmery, a five-year-old living in Honduras, found it difficult to trust and interact with others when her home environment became hostile and difficult after her parents split up. The situation left her with signs of trauma, and she struggled to access food. She would often scavenge the landfill, even memorizing the days the garbage truck arrived with “fresh” trash. Through Rise Against Hunger’s in-country partner, Convoy of Hope, Rosmery began participating in their school feeding program, where she receives nourishing meals. Rosmery is now receiving an education, social support, and psychological care at school. People have witnessed that her demeanor has changed. She seems happier, looks forward to school and eating with her friends.
RECOVERY STARTS WITH A MEAL
In early 2022, Ukraine faced a refugee crisis due to ongoing conflict. In response to the crisis, we provided thousands of nourishing meal kits and supplies to those affected and displaced from their homes in collaboration with Rise Against Hunger Italia and other global partners. Meal kits contained pulses, grains, pasta, oil, dried fruit, canned goods, fruit juice, pre-packaged snacks, and baby food.
OPPORTUNITY STARTS WITH A MEAL
Michael, age 42, is a rice farmer living with his wife and two children in Malawi’s Karonga district. In 2020, he joined the Harvesting Prosperity and Resilience project, implemented in Malawi through a partnership with Rise Against Hunger and FOCUS. The project works to enhance the food and nutrition security of smallholder farmers in Malawi’s Karonga and Mzimba districts by improving food production, nutrition practices and incomes. With five kilograms of rice seed that he received through the project in 2022, Michael harvested 2,000 kilograms of rice and was then able to sell some of his harvests, earning the equivalent of $583. He plans to cultivate more land this year to increase his harvest even more. With dreams of being a role model in his village, he believes that his increased rice crop will enable that dream to become a reality.
Red Star Yeast
Take part in the #itstartswithameal global effort on social!
It Starts With a Meal is supported by a $50,000 donation from campaign sponsor, Red Star Yeast.
Join the Celebration in Zimbabwe
In honor of Rise Against Hunger’s 25th anniversary, we’re sharing our impact in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe. Through our Planting Seeds for Strong Communities initiative in partnership with ADRA Zimbabwe, this program has developed long-term food security and stimulated the local agricultural economy. As a result, five partner schools in Zimbabwe are now cultivating school gardens to provide children with daily meals. Will you help other children around the globe waiting for their chance to receive nourishment like this?
MEALPOWER
When we start conversations about the power and importance of a meal, it also reinforces the critical necessity of addressing food insecurity. Using #ItStartsWithaMeal on social media, share your favorite international recipe, the difference a single meal can make and how your friends and family can support the global hunger crisis — your MealPower story might even get highlighted here! See MealPower stories from our featured influencers below.
TRY ALL THE #MEALPOWER RECIPES!
In honor of the It Starts With a Meal movement, food and lifestyle bloggers — @myvegetarianroots, @edyinethmelgarejo, @chocolateandcheeseplease, @shanelamari, @dolphia.n.arnstein and @jennerous_eats — shared the dishes featured below.
These dishes are special to each of them, highlighting the power of a meal in a person’s life. Download the recipe cards to try your hand at making these globally inspired dishes!
