Donor funding helps transport life-changing meals to programs around the globe.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Oct. 9, 2023) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has launched its Annual Food Distribution Appeal, enabling donors to multiply their gift many times over by turning a $1 donation into $20 of critical nutrition.

Thanks to ongoing partnerships with international humanitarian aid organizations like Rise Against Hunger and Feed My Starving Children that donate tons of nutritious food, and the established, trusted presence of Salesian missionaries in more than 130 countries, life-saving meals are ready for those who need them most. Donor funding helps Salesian Missions transport the meals from shipping docks to Salesian program locations around the globe.

According to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, in 2022 between 691 million and 783 million people were hungry, 122 million more than in 2019 before the pandemic. Globally 2.4 billion people did not have regular access to food. Of those, an estimated 900 million faced severe food insecurity.

In 2022, Salesian Missions sent food aid to Burundi*, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, Timor-Leste and Uganda. This food aid provided meals to students and served as an incentive for families to send their children to school. As a result of the feeding programs, students are thriving. Many have gained weight, suffer fewer illnesses and have become more focused on their studies.

“Salesian missionaries live and work in the communities in which they serve and are perfectly positioned to effectively and efficiently distribute goods and supplies,” said Father Timothy Ploch, interim director of Salesian Missions. “Missionaries know the local and political landscape and have the resources to ensure that this aid reaches those most in need. Our donors are an integral part of ensuring this aid reaches youth who depend on Salesian programs for food, water, shelter and education.”

More than 30,000 Salesian missionaries are dedicated to caring for poor and at-risk youth in programs around the globe. Salesian programs assist poor and disadvantaged youth through education (academic, trade and agriculture), and workforce development initiatives, emergency relief and humanitarian aid, infrastructure support, clean water initiatives, and nutritional and health services.

To learn more and make a donation, visit SalesianMissions.org/lp/food.

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