Little acts of kindness make a big difference
Inspiring stories of fundraising initiatives and events from across the global Mary's Meals family.
Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and backgrounds who share the same goal – that every child receives a meal in their place of education.
Although we serve school meals to more than 2.4 million children in 16 countries every school day, our fundraising operations are global. Our growing network of affiliate charities raises awareness of our work – from organising and participating in fundraising events to coordinating volunteers and raising awareness of our vital work to those around them.
Here’s a snapshot of how our supporters across the globe have helped to make a difference in recent months.
USA – going the distance for Mary’s Meals
Marking his 75th birthday with a 26-mile hike around America’s Grand Canyon National Park was the perfect choice for retiree Dale Heider. His friend Dave Lensing joined him, making this their third trek around the canyon. This time, however, their efforts were in support of Mary’s Meals, making the adventure all the more special.
The trek took about 20 hours. Dale and Dave navigated changing climates and altitudes, and each endured physical challenges, but they were helped along by the breathtaking scenery and knowledge that every step was helping to provide school meals.
“I was struggling towards the end,” Dave explains, “but I kept telling myself that I had hundreds of children cheering me on.”
The duo completed their incredible journey and raised $8,400.
“It’s always a great feeling when you set a goal and you accomplish it. We had the personal goal of making the hike and the goal of raising money for hungry children,” Dave says.
Learn more about how you can get involved with Mary's Meals in the United States.
Spain – a cause to sing about!
In October, Palma Gospel Singers treated locals and Mary’s Meals supporters on the Spanish island of Mallorca to a night of gospel music in aid of our work.
The event – held in the main event space of the Sa Nostra Foundation (an organisation that works to improve lives through a variety of projects) – was broadcast on a local radio station Radio Soledad and featured in a local newspaper.
The collective efforts of everyone involved raised around €1,700.
Organisers are already in talks about how to replicate the event in a bigger venue next year because of its incredible success! Watch this space!
Learn more about how you can get involved with Mary's Meals in Spain.
Austria – a successful evening of sport
In September, Mary’s Meals Austria hosted its second night run, with more than 60 runners taking on the 5km challenge held in Vienna’s Ringstrasse.
The race was organised as part of Mary’s Meals Austria’s “Move for Meals” campaign, which aims to raise almost €13,000 to fund school meals at two schools in Malawi – Madziaphitsa School and Masidi JP Primary School – with a combined total of almost 600 learners. Many of our passionate youth ambassadors in Austria have taken on the challenge to raise the funds required to sponsor both Malawi schools.
The night race raised more than €3,000, their hard work edging them even closer to their final target.
Learn more about how you can get involved with Mary's Meals in Austria.
Ireland – Step by Step Walk to Knock
Finally, the Emerald Isle was awash with blue Mary’s Meals t-shirts in August 2024 for Mary’s Meals Ireland’s annual Step by Step walk. A record number of walkers from across the country took part in the annual nine-day challenge this year – covering more than 200km to reach the Marian shrine in Knock, County Mayo.
The efforts of all those involved raised an incredible €225,000, with an additional £22,000 coming from walkers in Northern Ireland – an amount that will provide daily meals for more than 11,000 children for an entire school year!
We continue to be amazed by the many and varied actions people are taking all over the world in support of our work. It's true that anyone can play a part in our mission, and we can each bring our own unique gifts and talents to our little acts of love.
Read more about how the annual walk to Knock is an opportunity to experience simple, yet inspirational, acts of kindness from people and supporters along the way, and learn about how you can get involved with Mary's Meals in Ireland.
Allan Poot is Head of National Affiliate Growth at Mary’s Meals. He is responsible for supporting the National Affiliate base and onboarding new affiliates.
It costs just £19.15, €22, $25.20 USD or $31.70 CAD to provide a child with school meals for an entire school year. There are many ways you can help us to reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals. There may even be a Mary's Meals office or volunteer group in your area. Learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference.