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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 starts with a meal — but it doesn’t end there. We’re sharing stories of impact in the Philippines through programs supported by Rise Against Hunger that nourish the hopes and dreams of people in the Philippines and beyond. These programs address food insecurity by providing immediate nutritional assistance and lasting, long-term impact, serving 1.73 million people each year.

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.

Children in the Philippines eating a meal
Ukraine shipment of meal kits and supplies emergency response
Michael building a sustainable future at his farm land
Children in the Philippines eating a meal

End Hunger in the Philippines & Beyond

Hope thrives alongside nutrition. Through programs supported by Rise Against Hunger in the Philippines, 1.73 million people are empowered by locally-led solutions to address food security each year. Support the nutrition, education, health and livelihoods of those in need around the world by donating today.

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Meet Program Participants in the Philippines

Nourishing Lives One Meal at a Time

As participants in programs implemented by Rise Against Hunger Philippines, the impact goes beyond a meal. It starts with a meal, and it leads to a strong spirit of volunteerism for mothers, education for children, resilience for families facing hunger and empowerment for farmers and their communities. Meet the incredible program participants below to see firsthand the impact YOU made possible. 

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#ItStartsWithaMeal

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.

SEE THE MEALPOWER STORIES
Collage of It Starts With a Meal iamges

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!

DOWNLOAD RECIPE CARDS
It Starts With a Meal recipes
Sponsored By:

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.

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