Eradicating Classroom Hunger with Akshaya Patra

The Akshaya Patra Foundation strives to eliminate classroom hunger by implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme provided access to basic nutrition for children as well as improved attendance and retention rates in schools. With schools having to close, access to Mid-Day Meal Schemes has significantly reduced. The provision of a meal during school hours provided massive incentive for students to enter the schooling system and sheltered young children from the grips of bonded labor. It also acted as a vital component towards fighting malnourishment and ensuring adequate cognitive and physical developments in children. A lack of access or a flawed system of supply, especially during the pandemic, is expected to result in long-lasting effect across generations because of the persistence of mal-nutrition. Thus, a partnership where essential groceries, stationary and hygiene products are continually provided is vital and important.

In association with Games24x7, more than 15,000 “Happiness Kits” have been distributed to government beneficiaries of MDMS from Kalyan and Bhiwandi districts of Maharashtra. Each Kit consisted of essential groceries, hygiene and educational items were supplied to students to fight issues of acute hunger and a lack of access to basic requirements. This was done in-alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals of ending hunger and providing access to education.

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