KATHMANDU: The World Food Program USA and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), the charitable arm of Lions International, have announced a USD $4 million partnership to support the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) Homegrown School Feeding (HGSF) Programme in four countries, including Nepal.
The global collaboration, with both organizations contributing USD $2 million each, will fund unique projects in each country.
In Nepal, this grant will support the Government’s School Feeding Programme (Mid-Day Meal Programme), benefiting approximately 90,000 students from grades 0-5 across 800 schools in the Surkhet and Jajarkot districts of Karnali Province, according to a press release from Lions Clubs International.
“Every day, hundreds of millions of people worldwide, especially children, suffer from hunger,” said Lions Clubs International President Fabrício Oliveira.
“With support from Lions Clubs International Foundation and the World Food Program USA, we are working to ensure regular access to nutritious and sufficient food for children in Nepal and people around the world.”
Homegrown School Feeding Programmes have been shown to improve children’s education, health, and nutrition over decades.
By integrating into local communities, school meals benefit the entire community, providing a safety net and strengthening food systems and economies.
These programmes also support local small-scale farmers, enhancing local economies and contributing to gender equality, climate resilience, and sustainability.
“In Nepal, the Mid-Day Meal Programme benefits over three million students daily,” said WFP Nepal Country Director Robert Kasca.
“Through homegrown school feeding, we are serving nutritious meals that are fresh from farm to plate, supporting local farmers, and strengthening the community food system. The support from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, along with other development partners, will be catalytic in strengthening the homegrown school feeding approach in Karnali.”
WFP is the world’s largest provider of school meals, working with communities, governments, and private sector partners to ensure all primary schoolchildren have access to quality meals in schools.
As part of this collaboration, WFP is engaging with Lions Clubs members in the region.
Hunger is one of Lions International’s eight global causes. LCIF supports the 1.4 million members of Lions Clubs International through grant funds that expand their compassionate works and empower their service locally and globally.
Since its founding in 1968, LCIF has awarded more than 20,000 grants totaling nearly $1.3 billion, improving health and well-being, strengthening communities, and supporting those in need.
In Nepal, Lions Clubs have been active in humanitarian services since 1971, operating through more than 2,000 clubs and 46,000 members across 70 districts.
They support activities including health, vision, education, environmental conservation, disaster relief, and community development projects.
Over the past 40 years, LCIF has contributed more than $20 million to various programs and projects in Nepal.
Additionally, LCIF supported Nepal’s measles (rubella) vaccination campaign in 2013 and assisted in the reconstruction of government schools damaged by the 2015 earthquake and the recent earthquake in Jajarkot.
World Food Program USA is a non-profit organization based in the United States that supports the mission of the U.N. World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses, and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger.
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