The Religious Conference Management Association, for the third year in a row, has donated $100,000 to the United Nations' World Food Programme to fight hunger among children.

For a child suffering from hunger, going to school is not important; having enough food to eat is. Among the poor, there is often not enough food at home, and most schools in developing countries do not have canteens or cafeterias. On empty stomachs, children become easily distracted and have problems concentrating on their lessons.

The promise of at least one nutritious meal each day attracts children to school, boosts enrollment, promotes regular attendance, and enhances student performance.

The World Food Programme's school feeding formula is simple: food attracts hungry children to school. An education broadens their options, helping to lift them out of poverty. Instead of searching for food or working, children receive a nutritious meal as well as an education. In the poorest pockets of the world, this simple strategy can double primary school enrollment in one year.

RCMA's $100,000 gift will feed 3,000 children for one school year.

DeWayne S. Woodring, CMP, CEM, executive director of RCMA, said, “Providing food to impoverished children in schools is one of the most effective strategies for fighting hunger, eliminating poverty and providing education.

“As a public charity, our association feels that it has a special ministry to perform and is expressing this partially through the school feeding program. This humanitarian endeavor helps in a small way to address the ravages of hunger that exist in the world today.”