Feed the Children facts for kids
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| Founded | 1979 |
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| Type | Nonprofit 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | Delivers food, daily essentials, vitamins and other necessities to children and families who lack these items due to famine, poverty, or natural disaster. |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
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Area served
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United States and Internationally |
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Key people
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Emily A. Callahan, President and CEO |
Feed the Children is a non-profit group that started in 1979. Its main office is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This organization helps kids and families who don't have enough food or basic items.
Their goal is to give "hope and resources for those without life's essentials." They provide food, important supplies, school items, and help after disasters. They work across the United States and in eight other countries around the world. In the U.S., Feed the Children has five main centers. These are in Oklahoma, Indiana, California, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.
In 2021, Feed the Children gave out over 91 million pounds of food and supplies in the United States. Around the world, their programs helped 2 million people. These programs focused on food, nutrition, clean water, and ways for families to earn money. They helped people in 8 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
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Helping Families in the U.S.
Feed the Children's programs in the United States focus on getting and giving out food and other donated goods. They share these items with local groups and food banks. In 2021, they provided over 91 million pounds of food and other goods.
Teacher Stores for Schools
Feed the Children also runs "Teacher Stores" at its distribution centers. Teachers from schools that need extra help can visit these stores. They can get free school supplies, books, and healthy snacks for their students.
Through a partnership, Feed the Children has given out over one million special backpacks. These backpacks are for kids who are homeless or at risk. They contain school supplies, food, and personal care items. In 2021, teachers visited the "Teacher Stores" almost 30,000 times. These visits helped schools in 482 different areas.
International Programs Around the World
Feed the Children works in many countries to help children and families. They have several important goals for their international work:
- All children should be well-fed and healthy by age five. They should also learn about good nutrition for life.
- All children should have clean water, good sanitation, and hygiene. This helps them stay healthy as they grow up.
- All children should be able to go to school and feel safe there. They should get a good education that helps them learn throughout their lives.
- Families should be able to support themselves and be financially stable. This helps them make their communities stronger.
Projects in Other Countries
One example of their international work is the "Casa del Niño" (House of the Child) in Honduras. In Malawi, a country in Africa, Feed the Children greatly expanded its programs. They give a special fortified porridge called VitaMeal to 50,000 orphans and young children. This food helps them get important nutrients.
Feed the Children also received a large grant from USAID. This money helps improve food, nutrition, education, and clean water for families in Malawi. It helps over 70,000 children affected by HIV/AIDS. This project, called Tiwalere OVC, made Malawi their biggest international program.
In 2015, Feed the Children was given a special role with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This means they can share their ideas and help with global issues. In 2017, USAID gave Feed the Children its largest grant ever, over $19 million. This money is for the Tiwalere II project in Malawi. This project aims to improve the health of young children, pregnant women, and teenage girls in ten areas of Malawi.
Helping After Disasters
Feed the Children also provides help when disasters happen. When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, they sent over 650 large trucks. These trucks carried more than 20,000 tons of food and relief supplies. After the September 11, 2001, attacks and the 2004 tsunami, they sent over 15,500 tons of food and supplies.
They responded to floods in Louisiana, Virginia, and West Virginia. They also helped after Hurricane Matthew. They gave out $3.4 million worth of food and supplies in the U.S. In other countries, they trained over 32,000 people in disaster preparedness. They also gave food, water, and tarps to 57,000 people.
How Feed the Children Uses Money
In 2021, Feed the Children used most of its money for its programs. About 94% of their budget went to things like childcare, food, medical help, disaster relief, education, and community development. A smaller part went to fundraising (3%) and managing the organization (3%).
Forbes magazine recognized Feed the Children as one of the largest charities in the United States in 2022.
Who Leads Feed the Children Now
In November 2016, Travis Arnold became the executive director and interim CEO. In early 2017, he officially became the president and CEO of Feed the Children. He continues to hold these positions.
In August 2020, Bregeita Jefferson was announced as the new chief international operations, finance, and compliance officer. She helps manage the organization's work around the world.
