One out of every three children in Israel suffers hunger.

Innocent young children are very likely the most unfortunate victims of Israel’s economic crisis. The latest report on poverty statistics, issued in November of 2009 by the National Insurance Institute, reveals there are now 783,600 children living below the poverty line.

These children leave for school with empty lunch bags and go to bed hungry. During lunchtime, they look on hungrily and despondently as their friends enjoy a satisfying lunch from the school cafeteria – something they cannot afford. And there’s no hot dinner waiting for them at home, either.

It comes as no surprise that they find it hard to concentrate on their schoolwork during a long school day, and their academic performance suffers.

Meir Panim - Meals for Children.

Meir Panim’s Meals for Children Program distributes hot, nourishing lunches to thousands of poverty-stricken children in kindergartens and elementary schools learning in full-day programs, as well as throughout the network of Meir Panim after-school clubs.

Each day, 5,000 hot meals are delivered to these needy children – satisfying their hunger, preserving their health, and restoring their smiles. The meals are supplied for a token $1 per meal, and families that cannot afford even this small sum receive the meals for free. Thus, these underprivileged children are guaranteed at least one nutritious meal a day to safeguard their continued health and advancement.

Since the program was launched in 2000, schools receiving Meir Panim’s hot lunches have seen a remarkable improvement in students’ academic and overall performance. A well-fed child is happier and more cooperative than a child fighting off hunger pains with no outlook of a warm meal to make his life brighter.

A smile on every child’s face.

Every Meir Panim children’s meal includes one serving of protein (meat), carbohydrate, vegetables, bread, and fruit. The meals are individually wrapped and delivered daily via Meir Panim’s refrigerated trucks and vans.

The charge for the meals is minimal and subsidized by Meir Panim. Parents pay 4 NIS for the first child, 3 NIS for the second child, 2 NIS for the third, etc. Families who cannot afford even this receive the food free of charge.

Meals for Children’s goal is to ensure that every needy child in Israel receives at least one hot, nourishing meal every day - because every child has an equal right to health, happiness, and basic nourishment.

Click here to see the branches and schedules The Southern Israel Nutrition Center will also serve up to 30,000 daily nutritious meals to children in the Negev (Southern) Region of Israel.
Click here for more info…