Programs
Nourishment
The Nourishment Program: Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope
Imagine a Future Where Children Do Not Go Hungry - Picture a world where children wake up each day without the fear of hunger looming over their lives. A future where they can focus on learning, playing, and dreaming—without the ache in their stomachs reminding them they are hungry. That’s the future we are fighting for at Beat The Cycle.
The Silent Crisis: A Problem That Can’t Be Ignored - Right now, in Baja Mexico, many children live with the frightening uncertainty of when they will eat again. It’s not just hunger—it’s the kind of deprivation that stunts growth, clouds minds, creates fear, and crushes future dreams. With no consistent access to nutritious food, they rely on whatever they can find—often sugary, processed snacks filled with empty calories that only make things worse. Their bodies are tired, their minds foggy, and their futures uncertain.
A Daily Struggle You Can Feel
A Daily Struggle You Can Feel - Can you imagine being a child, sitting in a classroom, trying to learn while your stomach churns with hunger? Sometimes, the air smells faintly of something cooking nearby, but it’s not for you. Your head hurts, your body feels sluggish, and you do not see the words on the page because all you can think about is food. When these children come to us, the first thing they ask isn’t about books, play, or lessons—it’s, “What will we eat today?”
The Story That Changed Everything - When our educator, Sol, began feeding children a few years ago, she witnessed something heartbreaking—children hiding food in their pockets, saving some portions for later or for a hungry sibling at home. It was a stark reminder: these kids weren’t just hungry; they were chronically famished. But something incredible happened—once they had food in their bellies, they could focus. For the first time, they had the energy to learn, to engage, to hope. One child said, excitedly, after two weeks of going to school on a full belly, “Teacher, I am not stupid! I was just hungry.”
Do you think you cannot make an impact on such a widespread problem? Read The Starfish Story on this page and decide.
The Unseen Cost of Food Insecurity
This isn’t just about meals—it’s about breaking a generational cycle of poverty. A hungry child cannot learn. A malnourished teenager cannot develop skills. An underfed mind cannot dream of a future. When we talk about food insecurity, we’re talking about robbing children of their potential before they ever have a chance.
A Vision for Change: Feeding Bodies, Fueling Futures - We refuse to let hunger be the reason these children are held back. Our solution goes beyond just providing meals—we are building a future where food is no longer a question mark.
With a fully equipped, restaurant-style kitchen, we will:
- Provide nutritious meals that fuel learning and development.
- Teach children and families about proper nutrition to break the cycle of poor eating habits.
- Offer cooking and vocational training, empowering kids with real-world skills.
What’s Possible When Hunger is Beaten
Imagine these children, once tired and hopeless, now vibrant, learning, and thriving. A teenager who once scavenged for food now training as a chef. A child who once struggled to stay awake in class now excelling in school. Hunger steals their future, but we have the power to give it back.
Be Part of the Solution This is where you come in. Your support isn’t just about food—it’s about giving these children a shot at life. Every dollar you donate helps fill a plate, fuel a mind, and change a future. Will you help us break the cycle?
Donations from this page will be used to provide nutritious meals.
Note: the average cost to feed a child for one month is only $100!
Donations from this page will be used to provide nutritious meals. Note: the average cost to feed a child for one month is only $100!
The Starfish Story
A couple loved to walk the beach wherever they went. It was a beautiful sunset. They were walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the long beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.
Off in the distance, the couple noticed a young boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often, bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good afternoon young man! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the boy replied. “When the sun gets high tomorrow, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”
The woman replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”
The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
Would you like to discuss sponsoring our kitchen facility?
Email Irene for English (irene@donnell.us) and Robert for Spanish (robert@donnell.us)