We often ignore or overlook serious issues that affect our society in a grave manner. With some people it could be unintended, because they are in a relatively comfortable position than the underprivileged. With other people, the most common assumption is that making this world a better place would take tedious effort and a lot of their time. However, when it comes to making a child happy and securing his or her future, the above reasons are incorrect. All it takes to feed a child through the year, and retain his presence in school so he gets educated and grows up to leave a mark in the society is Rs 750. It is that simple and only a click away.

However, one must wonder how the amount to feed a child for a whole year is only Rs 750. It is the result of a meticulously planned and executed procedure to spend this amount on a child’s midday meal at school. Here’s how it is done:

The Total Cost Per Meal to feed a child per day is 7.40 paise. We get a government subsidy through grain and grant that amounts to 4.38 paise. The amount borne by Akshaya Patra is 3.01 paise. The total operations time in a year for the kitchen staff is 232 days. When added over 232 days, this leads to a total of Rs 698.32. However, various aspects need to be considered for the organisation while utilising this amount. One of these is inflation. An estimated level of rise in the prices of raw materials is considered while summing up. This is usually 7.5 per cent of the cost assumed by Akshaya Patra which comes up to Rs 52. All of this adds up to Rs 750.

Furthermore, the cost per meal varies in every state based of different parameters and the average cost of these results in Rs 750. Here’s a representation of the same: (Click on image to view it)

Extend your support in making us reach out to more children who leave school because they need to earn a living. Donate now and help a child stay in school.

Here’s a question that has boggled the minds of many intellectuals. How does one make sure that every child goes to school? Imposing a ban on child labour hasn’t put an end to illiteracy. Even today, children are driven to work for their livelihood.

This led us to devise a programme that addresses the root of the problem, thereby giving every child access to school. We need as many helping hands as possible to make this work. And that’s why we’ve put together this list of ’10 reasons to support #HungryForSchool’.

1. Give them their daily meal
Hunger is the main reason children drop out of schools. By helping us provide them with mid-day meals every day, you are giving them a chance to stay in school.

2. Educate them
This is the idea at the heart of our programme – to help them to study. Food gives them the incentive they need to attend school.

3. Support their dreams
No child dreams of living in poverty. Education gives them hope for a better future. #HungryForSchool can be their stepping stone to success.

5. Ease the burden on parents
Parents aren’t opposed to sending their children to school, they simply can’t afford it. By providing a mid-day meal, we ease the parent’s burden of having an extra mouth to feed, and make them more agreeable to the idea of education.

6. Give the girl child a chance
Often, parents prefer educating their sons, but not their daughters. Many parents do not realise that Akshaya Patra feeds every child that enrols in a beneficiary school, irrespective of gender, caste or religion.

7. Prevent child malnutrition
The quality of food one eats makes a big difference to the quality of life. Akshaya Patra provides nutritious, balanced meals to give children the energy they need.

8. Increase enrolment rate in schools
Since the implementation of Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal program there has been a 28 per cent increase in enrolments. Let’s push this positive change further.

9. Help children discover their potential
At Akshaya Patra, we believe that every child is inherently talented. By bringing them to school, we let them explore their potential, gauge their capabilities and discover what they love doing.

10. Make them better citizens
A child desperate for food can take the wrong path in life. It is our intention to prevent this at all costs. School, and the mid-day meal they receive there, gives them an escape to a better future.

Join us as we help more children who are #HungryForSchool. Click here to see how you can make a difference.