Groupon teams up with UN for school meals program

• Groupon and UN World Food Program join hands to fight hunger and empower girls through school meal program
• WFP seeks to increase percentage of girls going to school through targeted interventions, such as take-home rations

GROUPON and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) have launched a daily deal across South-East Asia to support the empowerment of girls in Asia through school meal programs.
 
From now until April 5, Groupon will call on the general public to help provide a child with WFP school meals for four weeks and with a monthly ration to take home. Groupon country sites involved are Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.
 
In a statement, the group-buying site said that 100% of donations will go directly to WFP’s School Meals Programs, implemented in 14 countries in Asia, including five countries in South-East Asia.
 
Poverty and tradition often exclude girls from education – more than 36 million primary school-aged girls around the world don't attend school, Groupon said in its statement.
 
Combating hunger among children helps to improve school performance, close the gender gap in schools and empower girls by increasing their chances to have a brighter future, according to WFP. One nutritious meal a day promotes regular attendance, as a poor family needs to provide one less meal per day for their children, and also offsets the cost of education.

WFP seeks to increase the percentage of girls going to school through targeted interventions, such as take-home rations, which are given to girls in return for regular school attendance and which benefit the entire family.
 
“We appreciate Groupon’s continuing commitment to fighting hunger in Asia, as well as the dedication of individuals across the region who support this partnership,” said Jay Aldous, WFP director of private sector partnerships.
 
“For many girls in poor communities, a school meal is the only food they will eat all day. Together with take-home rations, these meals act as a powerful investment in girls’ futures,” he added.
 
Rafiq Razali, Groupon Malaysia country general manager, said, “We are proud to be part of this worthy cause which empowers girls and fights hunger in Asia.
 
“Our commitment to providing our subscribers with amazing life experiences goes beyond simply providing outstanding deals daily, but also to providing chances for them to make a difference in the lives of others,” he added.
 
It only costs US$0.25 to feed a child a school meal per day, so every donation makes a difference. To contribute to WFP for this initiative, which started March 25, please click here.
 
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