Nutrition for the Body and the Soul

Archdiocesan Nourishment Center

Feeding the hungry is one of the corporal works of mercy especially made more significant this Jubilee Year of Mercy. This work can be facilitated through our Archdiocesan Nourishment Center (ANC) which provides the lay faithful the opportunity to organize themselves in order to address the problems facing poor children in the city.

“The Center provides meals to poor children once a day from Monday to Saturday serving different groups in the morning, lunch and afternoon,” Sr. Mafel Intengan, LGC, the ANC in-charge says.

It also gives priority to children who are malnourished. Children are weighed in and their heights measured as initial gauges for malnourishment. Deworming them is a necessary step. They are provided with balanced nutrition. Their food ration includes vegetables rich in fiber, and fish or chicken or pork. Sr. Mafel particularly mentioned that the children like to have soup. They are served different menu each day. They are only fed once but are not usually turned away if they return. However, only children up to 12 or 13 are accepted and even if not malnourished are still catered. Improvements have been seen for the malnourished but feeding still continues at the Center for them.

The Center serves children coming from the Badjao community in Isla Verde, Boulevard since the Center’s location is near them. Mothers bring them there for feeding. Malnourished and indigents from nearby are also catered. About 200 children were being served almost everyday in the Center.

The Center also aims to provide auxiliary services for humanitarian considerations, such as medical check-ups performed by volunteer licensed physician. Formation is also given attention not only for the children but for their parents as well. Catechism for the children is provided by the Kids for Christ, while the FOCOLARE and Love Flock provides for the spiritual nourishment of their parents. The Bukas Loob ng Dios grants educational assistance for some 10 children. The BCBP livelihood project, Rosary making, also help the parents earn.

Much is still needed. Nourishment needs of children have to be supported by parents. How to hold their attention is quite a challenge according to Sr. Mafel. Only five parents persevered and are now extending help in the Center.

ANC is a big opportunity offered by the Church to the lay to be able to serve the Lord through it, Sr. Mafel reiterates. Individuals or groups can serve through giving personal assistance, in the form of pledges or formation and livelihood activities. Wholistic nourishment, after all, includes not only the body but also the intellectual and spiritual needs of the person.

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ABLI ang Archdiocesan Nourishment Center (ANC) sa mga andam mutabang sama na lamang sa pagpakaon sa University of Immaculate Conception-Youth for a United World. Mamahimong mukontak sa 285-1524 alang sa dugang kasayuran o mobisita sa FB account: Archdiocesan Nourishment Center.