By Jessica Lawson | Co-Founder
Dear friends,
Thank you so much for your support of "Food for Focus"! Because of you, we are providing healthy meals and snacks, six days per week, for 150 girls.
The average family in our program has a household income of about $2,000 per year. With multiple mouths to feed on an extremely tight budget, many children, especially older ones, are forced to skip meals or fend for themselves, often choosing cheap, unhealthy options like chips or candy. By providing girls with healthy, nutritious food to fuel their bodies during the school day, we are ensuring that they have the energy to power through the day and reap the maximum benefits from their time in the classroom.
14 year old Vivianna, who lives in a single parent household, is often left alone with no money for the day while her father is at work. "I would eat some breakfast in the morning and go all day without eating till afterschool at dinner time. Whatever we would have for dinner depended on what my father made that day. Sometimes, my father and I, because I am the oldest, would skip a day of eating so my little brother and sister could always have some food. My stomach would rumble all day in school and I could not concentrate on anything. At Mariposa, I have a meal before I go to school in the afternoon and I am full and feel good for the whole day".
The funds we raised with your support also go to help with our garden at The Mariposa Center for Girls. The girls work in the garden and help to grow many fresh fruits and vegetables right on site and then learn how to prepare them. It is a very empowering experience for them to grow their own food and enjoy the results! Providing food is a critical element of success for our programs and we are grateful to have you on our team. Full stomachs means that the girls can have the energy they need to stay focused in school and reach their full potential.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the Mariposa DR Foundation and for your belief in healthier living for our girls!
With love,
The staff, volunteers, and children of the Mariposa DR Foundation
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