CRS reports funding cuts will deepen hunger crisis

Last week’s abrupt termination of Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) McGovern-Dole Food for Education school feeding programs will deprive school-age children of their only reliable meal each day. Beginning in July, more than 780,000 children across 11 countries will be left without their school meal, as 11 out of CRS’ 13 projects have been terminated—deepening the crises of hunger, malnutrition and poverty that already threaten their ability to learn, grow and thrive.

“This decision isn’t just a policy shift—it’s a life-altering blow to hundreds of thousands of children who rely on these meals to stay healthy, stay in school and stay hopeful about their future,” said Sean Callahan, CRS’ President and CEO. 

“Having just returned from Honduras, where I saw one of the programs in action, I can confidently say its success is undeniable. I witnessed firsthand the remarkable contributions of the community and local government. I spoke with young children who endure nearly two-hour walks to school each day—driven by the hope of receiving both a meal and an education. It is un-American to stand by and not provide assistance while hunger robs children of their chance to learn and thrive.”

CRS has implemented school feeding programs around the world for many decades. In 2024, evaluations of our work highlighted increased literacy rates, economic growth and reduced absences due to hunger and illness. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), CRS worked with governments and communities to sustain school meal programs and improve education quality. Without these programs, children are forced to learn on empty stomachs, putting their health and futures at risk. Local communities and governments are key to the McGovern-Dole programs, providing resources, infrastructure and support to ensure children receive meals and education, fostering lasting impact.

Beyond supporting students, these programs strengthen local economies and help people remain in their communities. In Central America’s drought-prone Dry Corridor, where food insecurity and limited opportunities drive migration to the U.S., USDA-funded CRS programs have made a measurable difference. A recent study in Guatemala and Honduras revealed that 76% of respondents cited three major benefits of USDA’s McGovern Dole School Feeding program that reduce migration: increased access to education, improved agricultural production and a stronger local economy.  

“Ending a program that provides a child's only meal is deeply troubling and goes against our values as a nation and as people of faith,” Callahan said. “We have a moral responsibility to ensure vulnerable children have access to the nourishment they need to learn, grow and build a better future.”

In addition to the school feeding program terminations, award terminations within USDA’s Food for Progress programs further threaten food security and economic stability in struggling communities. These programs support agricultural development and trade, helping farmers increase productivity, generate income and build sustainable futures. Without them, entire communities face greater hardship, worsening food shortages and diminishing opportunities for economic growth. 

Both the Food for Progress and McGovern-Dole School Feeding Programs contribute to the U.S. economy by utilizing in-kind food aid, benefiting American farmers, port workers, mariners and others. According to the most recent publicly available data, these two programs collectively facilitated the procurement and transportation of over 370,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities in a single year.

“We call on the administration to reconsider its decision and restore funding for these life-affirming programs,” Callahan said. “By reinstating the McGovern Dole awards in particular, we can ensure children continue to have access to daily meals in school, and invest in their future, their health, and their ability to break the cycle of poverty.”