About the Migrant Meal Distribution Program
At the SunRaising Foundation, our food insecurity initiatives are fighting hunger across the globe. Los Chiles, Costa Rica is a major throughway for migrants moving north to find a better life. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, this $7,500 grant provides nourishing meals not only to families passing through, but those living locally in the community.
Understanding the Need
According to the World Bank, international migrants represent 3.6 percent of the global population, an increase of 60 million in just the last decade. Latin America sees close to a quarter of all migrants with many moving north from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Violence, political instability, poverty, and human rights violations force families to flee, with many hoping that a journey north will promise a more prosperous life.
Many migrants face extreme conditions along the way. The long weeks of travel take a toll, leaving many exhausted and sick. For women and children, the journey is particularly hard due to the threat of violence and human trafficking. Today, most migrants arrive earlier in life than just a decade ago, with more women and young people making up much of the demographic.
Los Chiles represents a major stop on this arduous journey, creating a need for basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. With the help of the SunRaising Foundation, community members have stepped up to meet this need.
Your Impact - Meals Making a Difference
This grant provides over 4,000 meals to hungry families and children moving through the area. Meals are served four times a week by volunteers and feed roughly 75-100 folks at each meal. Some families stay in the area for multiple days as they plan their routes, often participating in the meal program for many days in a row. Meals are meant to be hearty, often including rice, beans, meat, veggies, and fruit.
In February alone, the program served 1,080 meals to both migrant and local families. Many of the recipients were children. The youngest was just two years old.
You can support our Migrant Meal Distribution programs and help us reach our goal of providing 5,000 meals in 2025 by making a contribution today. Your donation will have a direct impact, allowing us to continue supporting families and children impacted by regional turmoil.
