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Morales, Thor /CRS

Fifth grader Arlis Carranza enjoys a school meal during lunchtime at the Centro de Educación Básica (CEB) Las Primaveras. An elementary school in the community of Los Olivos in the outskirts of Yamaranguila, Honduras. This photo was taken on April 1, 2025, during a Journey of Hope visit to Honduras. The meals prepared by volunteer mothers are made possible through CRS’s implementation of the McGovern-Dole program in rural communities of Honduras, resulting in a joint effort that benefits students. Catholic Relief Services implements the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program in Honduras by providing daily school meals, improving literacy, and promoting hygiene and nutrition education. The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helps increase school attendance and learning outcomes for children in vulnerable communities. Charles W. Mulaney, Jr., corporate partner with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Sean Callahan, president & CEO of Catholic Relief Services, and James N. Perry, Jr., co-founder and senior advisor of Madison Dearborn Partners, were the Journey of Hope delegation members who visited Perry Foundation-funded projects and the Pathways to Resilience initiative in Honduras from March 30 to April 3, 2025.

Arlis, a fifth grader, enjoys her daily school meal during lunchtime at an elementary school in Los Olivos, Yamaranguila, Honduras.

The administration has terminated Catholic Relief Services’ McGovern-Dole Food for Education school feeding programs—cutting off daily meals for more than 900,000 children in 13 countries. For many, this was their only meal of the day. 

Without these meals, children will be forced to learn on empty stomachs, putting their health and futures at risk.  

Your voice is urgently needed so we can continue to work for a world where no child goes hungry. 

School feeding programs:  

• Increase literacy and learning outcomes. 
• Reduce absences due to hunger and illness.  
• Support local economies and reduce migration. 

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CRS partners with governments and communities to sustain school meal programs and strengthen a child’s education. These programs not only nourish students, but they also stabilize families and communities.   

Meanwhile, award terminations within USDA’s Food for Progress programs further threaten food security and economic stability in vulnerable communities. 

Please email your members of Congress, asking them to urge the administration to reverse these terminations and continue providing lifesaving and life-affirming food aid.  

Did you know? Research shows that constituents’ voices have significant influence on congressional members’ decision-making, especially when communications are personalized—like sharing a story or demonstrating the impact an issue will have in the district or state.  Don’t forget to personalize your message!