By Kathleen Cosgrove

The Congressional Hunger Center (CHC), a nonprofit anti-hunger training organization located in Washington, D.C., launched an exhibit last week featuring photographs of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, as well as other midday meal programs in Mali and Chile.  The exhibit is designed to help inform members of Congress, policy makers and other key opinion leaders on the success, magnitude and worth of school feeding programs around the world.
The photographs were taken along with in-depth interviews and site visits to Akshaya Patra kitchens and schools. The exhibit is part of a larger initiative to increase support for school feeding. According to the CHC, school feeding programs have been proven to not only alleviate childhood hunger, but also to promote educational opportunities for children, especially young girls. This photography exhibit is part of an effort to bring the voices of people who implement or are impacted by school feeding programs to those who are making program and policy decisions. The exhibit will travel to different venues and events throughout the country over the next year.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Congressional Hunger Center for Akshaya Patra’s innovative solution to eradicating hunger while promoting access to education,” said Madhu Sridhar, Akshaya Patra USA’s President and CEO. “Akshaya Patra is a great example of what can be accomplished when the public sector, private sector and civic society collaborate– a cost effective, scalable solution with high quality service delivery. The program is a true global model of efficiency and ingenuity, built and designed to be easily replicated in other parts of the world.”

“The photo exhibit was extraordinarily powerful,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, (D-MA), co-chair of the Congressional Hunger Center.  “I’m proud that the House Hunger Caucus continues to educate members and staff about not only the reality of childhood hunger in the world, but also the incredible people and programs that are tackling the problem.”