GK-Ateneo begins journey towards Zero Hunger for at least 1,000 kids in 10 communities

GK-Ateneo launched its Magpakain program last October 17, 2022 in line with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Simultaneous feeding of hot meals were conducted in 4 pilot communities in Quezon City, Cavite and Nueva Ecija namely: 

1. GK Del Rosario - Cox, Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City (100 kids)
2. GK St. Joseph, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija (100 kids)
3. GK SMDC - Bayanihan Village, Dasmarinas, Cavite (100 kids)
4. Christ the King Parish (CKTP), Brgy. Batasan, Quezon City (150 kids) 

Hot meals were prepared via community kitchens that were set-up in each community. With the program, at least 450 kids will be fed two (2) times a week for at least 120 feeding days. Each community kitchen is led and managed by Zero Hunger Core Groups composed of at least 3 members per community and supported by at least 5-10 parent volunteers every feeding day.

In preparation for the Magpakain program, the GK-Ateneo staff members – Pevee Carandang, Paolo Inting, Clarice Enriquez and Irene Nillos trained the Zero Hunger Core Group for the four pilot communities. During the 2-day training held last September 17-18, 2022, GK-Ateneo facilitated a combination of technical sessions (i.e. basics of kitchen operations, cleanliness, sanitation and food safety, reporting and monitoring) and mentoring. Since this journey towards Zero Hunger will not be an easy feat, a portion of the training was also allotted for deepening the participants’ WHY and the conviction to achieve Zero Hunger together.

This is just the beginning of the journey towards achieving Zero Hunger for GK-Ateneo. Adopting the 5M Approach to Zero Hunger by Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga, Magpakain is only 1 of the 5Ms. In the succeeding months, GK-Ateneo will also implement the other Ms namely Magpakalusog (Health and Nutrition Education), Magtanim (Community Food Farms) by activating the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan (Magtulungan) and organizing offline and online activities (Magconnect) for Zero Hunger. 

Furthermore, also set to start their Magpakain operations next year are the following communities: 

• GK Payatas Trese, Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City (100 kids)
• GK Molave, Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City (100 kids) 
• GK Tribu, Brgy. Batasan, Quezon City (100 kids)
• GK Concepcion, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija (100 kids)
• GK Kalayaan, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija (100 kids)
• GK Santa Rita, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija (100 kids)

All of these will contribute to GK-Ateneo’s goal to achieve Zero Hunger and Malnutrition for at least 1,000 kids in 10 GK-Ateneo communities. While this may seem impossible to some, GK-Ateneo deeply believes that nothing is impossible when we work together. #LetsEndHungerTogether 

For more information or inquiries on how to help, you may email gka.zerohunger@gmail.com