Updates

Today marks the beginning of a new month, which means it is time for our monthly food distribution through the Scholarship Plus Program.

At Santa Maria del Fiat, about one quarter of our students receive tuition assistance through our scholarship program. Within that group are families facing such significant hardship that putting enough food on the table is an ongoing challenge.

Our teachers began noticing concerning signs. Some students were arriving at school hungry or complaining of headaches and stomach pain. Others had unexplained absences that made it difficult to keep up with their education.

Sadly, these challenges are not uncommon in the communities we serve. Nearly 35% of children in our province experience some form of malnutrition. Poor nutrition affects far more than physical growth—it can weaken the immune system, impair cognitive development, reduce concentration, and leave children without the energy they need to learn. For students, this often translates into lower attendance, difficulty focusing in class, and diminished academic performance.

As our Scholarship Program Coordinator met with families through home visits and assessments, one of the underlying causes became clear: many simply did not have enough food to meet their children’s basic nutritional needs.

In response, we launched our monthly food program to support the families facing the greatest levels of food insecurity. Today, 53 families receive this vital assistance each month.

Through a partnership with a local market, each family receives a 40-pound bag of nutritious staple foods, including rice, lentils, oats, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, milk, peanut butter, and other seasonal produce. These food packages are designed to supplement household food supplies, reduce the risk of malnutrition, and ensure that children have the nourishment they need to grow, learn, and thrive.

Each month, our Scholarship Program Coordinator organizes the distribution while continuing to visit families and assess emerging needs. By walking alongside families in this way, we can identify those who need additional support and ensure that help reaches those who need it most.

For many families, these monthly food bags provide more than groceries. They provide stability during difficult seasons and help ensure that children can come to school healthy, ready to learn, and able to flourish.