Archdiocese continues to provide nourishment to needy children

The problem of malnourishment and hunger has continued to prevail especially in a developing country like ours. Hence, the Church, with its mandate to nurture and become good shepherd to its people just like Jesus, continues to provide interventions that will help solve the prevalence of the said societal problems.

In the Archdiocese of Davao, the Archdiocesan Council of the Lay Associations and Integrated Movements (ACLAIM) project known as Archdiocesan Nourishment Center (ANC), more than ever, strengthens its goal of providing integral nourishment programs and services such as spiritual formation, medical assistance especially to the poorest of the poor.

“We have to provide nourishment to our children, especially we have beneficiaries who are currently pursuing their studies,” Sr. Ma. Felina S. Inting, ANC Operation Manager, said.

The center now feeds more than 200 children mostly from the downtown area of the city.

It has two schedules for the feeding program, 11AM-12NN where they feed about 80 children and 4PM-5PM, with about 60 children beneficiaries. It also feeds about 100 children in its branch in Brgy. 76-A Bucana.

According to Sr. Inting, most of these children are aged 3 to 9 that have been identified as undernourished. Others are those who no longer have parents or those with unemployed ones who cannot properly look after them.

“Other than the food, we also provide them support in their educational needs, particularly in their school uniform needs,” Sr. Inting said.

The support are mainly from the sponsors who are from the members of ACLAIM, including the Catholic Women’s League and the Bukas Loob sa Diyos, among others.

“These groups have almost 60 sponsored children under them,” Sr. Inting said.

According to Sr. Inting, the support through donors, benefactors, and pledgers from various sectors, including from the groups under the archdiocese, the local government, and others continue to suffice their needs in their quest of providing the needs of their beneficiaries.

For five years now, the ANC continues to help the needy children in the archdiocese. As proof that they are growing, Sr. Inting announced that by the end of the year or early next year, they will be able to establish another branch in Bankerohan.