For Jacob, an Empty Plate Means a Full Future

Jacob grew up with seven older brothers and sisters and has two younger than him. A boisterous family of twelve was a challenge to feed for his parents, Mary Jane and Jerry.

By the time Jacob was eleven, he was sluggish and thin, and not hitting developmental milestones. His teachers could tell that sometimes he would come to school with nothing in his stomach. He was sickly and couldn’t play games or socialize the way a child his age should.

The Samar site staff enrolled him in their Chalice-supported nutrition program, "which provides not just feeding for lunch,” says Maricel, site director, “but also serves healthy breakfast to the less fortunate children." Every weekday, 430 children eat “a delectable and nutritious lunch” that's been carefully planned and balanced, offering a variety of animal- and plant-based-proteins, complex carbohydrates, vegetables and fruits. Children like Jacob, who are behind in their nutritional progress, also receive a supplementary hot meal, such as warm milk and porridge.

Now, “every morning, he wakes up early and excitedly goes to school without worrying about feeling hungry again,” says Maricel, "because he knows that there will be a nutritious breakfast and lunch waiting for him.”

Jacob is thriving, physically and academically. He’s growing in both size and confidence. He has more “guts and energy to perform well in class.” Maricel says. “The burden of worrying about what to eat is never a problem anymore.”

Maricel sees Jacob’s story as “a testament that nutrition contributes to the wholesome development of a child. It also implies how significant it is for every child to be provided with proper nutrition to help him perform well in school and to bring joy.”

We recognize World Food Day on October 16. This year's theme, "Right to ‘foods’ for a better life and a better future,” will be in the heart of everyone working to fight hunger.