Up to 7,500 Meals Served Every Week

What If? Foundation donations fund a five-day-a-week food program that serves up to 1,500 children/day. Some walk miles to attend.

Members of the St. Clare’s community of Port-au-Prince lovingly prepare and serve the nutritious meals. Each child receives a large portion of fresh vegetables, rice, beans, and meat. Food is purchased at the Port-au-Prince farmers’ market, helping support the local economy. It costs about 70 cents per plate. After the children eat, if there is food left over (the cooks try to see that there always is) adults are served.

With the recent hurricanes and the current rise in global food prices, these meals are needed more than ever. The price of rice has more than doubled since January 2008. With over half of the Haitian population earning less than $1 a day and 78% earning less than $2 a day, this increase has made it impossible for most people to feed their families.

The What If? Foundation is the only source of financial support for this food program.

Food Program History

We started small in March 2000 – funding just one meal-a-week on Sundays for 500 children. Thanks to increased donations over the years, we were able to build a kitchen in the St. Clare’s rectory and expand.

In March 2004, the program added a second day. In March 2005, a third. In July 2005, a fourth, and in March 2006, day five began.

To see photos of the food program, visit our Photo Gallery.