300 students in Gainza, Camarines Sur benefit from GMA Kapuso Foundation's feeding program

A total of 300 students in Gainza, Camarines Sur benefitted from GMA Kapuso Foundation's Give a Gift, Feed a Kid program. 

According to a "24 Oras" report on Monday, among the beneficiaries is Ian, a Grade 3 student who has shown remarkable improvement since joining the feeding program, gaining 3.3 kilograms and becoming more active in class. 

"Masunurin saka masiyahin siya, palagi po siyang tumataas ng kamay," said Gainza Elementary School Teacher III Editha Martinez of Ian. 

Ian's mother, Giselle, also learned how to cook healthy and nutritious food through the program. 

Per the report, students from Gainza were chosen as the feeding program's beneficiaries because the town was among the areas significantly affected by Typhoon Kristine in 2024. 

According to data from the National Nutrition Council's Operation Timbang Plus in 2022, Camarines Sur also ranked sixth among provinces in Luzon with the highest number of undernourished children. 

"Malaki ang problema ng Pilipinas dahil karamihan ng mag-aaral sa mga public schools lalo na sa malalayong schools sa Camarines Sur at Bicolandia region ay malnourished," GMA Kapuso Foundation EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog. 

After the 120-day feeding program, the beneficiaries recorded an average weight gain of more than three kilos and an average height gain of two centimeters. 

The GMA Kapuso Foundation also distributed food, vitamins, gifts, and toys to the beneficiaries. 

Among the foundation's partners for the program were Metrobank, Bounty Cares, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines. 

"Ang commitment talaga ng Metrobank is hindi lang pang short-term solution pero sa pangmahabang solusyon tulad nito, food nutrition," said Metrobank South Luzon IV Region Area Head Maria Celeste Lasala. 

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News