MannaRelief

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MannaRelief is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Grand Prairie, Texas focused on providing nutritional support to malnourished children and orphans around the world.
Mission
MannaRelief's mission is to provide on-going, consistent nutritional support that supplies plant-sourced nutrients in standardized and nutritional effective amounts to children in need around the globe.
MannaRelief helps children avoid the devastating effects associated with malnutrition by providing them with essential nutrients their bodies may be lacking.
History
Since it's founding in 1999 by Sam and Linda Caster, the independent organization has assisted in providing nutritional support to more than 88,000 orphans in 82 countries and has partnered with more than 700 life-giving organizations. In March 2006 the organization and Mannatech founder Sam Caster were given the James E. MacLennan Everyday Hero Award from the Up With People International Alumni Association. Overall, the organization has provided approximately 20,000,000 servings of nutritional support as of July, 2010.
Nutritient deficiencies and supplementation
It is a large misconception that severe malnutrition is caused by not getting enough to eat. Often the issue of undernourishment lies in not getting the right amount of nutrients. New York Times Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristof calls this the "hidden hunger." Doctors Without Border claims that food is not enough and warns that current food aid that focuses on fighting hunger—not treating malnutrition—isn't doing enough to address the needs of young children most at risk. Instead, the relief organization is calling for increased and expanded use of ready-to-use food (RUF) that are nutrient-dense to fight malnutrition. Dr. Christophe Fournier, president of MSF's International Council, said, "It's not only about how much food children get, it's what's in the food that counts."
Micronutrient supplementation has received the support and attention of top global health experts and organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Copehagen Consensus. Studies show that for deficient children, the periodic supply of high-dose vitamin A has resulted in reducing mortality by 23%.
The 2008 Copenhagen Consensus, a panel of world class economists, analyzed cost-effective solutions to the world’s ten biggest challenges. They ranked micronutrient supplemenation for children as the #1 global priority.
Programs
The Blessing program
Each year, approximately 3.5-5 million children die from malnutrition and related causes-one child every six seconds. According to UNICEF's most recent statistics, undernutrition contributes to 53 percent of the 9.7 million deaths of children under five each year in developing countries. The Blessing program works to provide nutritional supplements to malnourished children outside of the U.S. Nutritional support is delivered to in-field partners through mission trips, direct shipments and container drops. More than 80,000 children and orphans are registered in the program.
The Hope program
The Hope program provides nutritional support to children from birth through 18 years in U.S. and around the world. Children enrolled in this program receive an extensive supply of nutritional supplements. To date, more than 9,000 children have participated in the program.
Spare Change for Real Change
Spare Change for Real Change is a campaign to raise awareness and funds for children enrolled in the Blessing program. Launched in 2009, the campaign aims to provide an on-going supply of nutritional supplements for participating partners and at-risk children and orphans that are enrolled in the Blessing program.
Implementation Model
MannaRelief works by partnering with established in-country groups and organizations to reach children in the U.S. and abroad. By providing nutritional support and working with partners that have a local presence and understanding of the areas served, MannaRelief is able to reach undernourished children in the most need.
Operations
The organization operates with 22 full-time staff members.
Beginnings
Sam Caster and his wife Linda founded the MannaRelief non-profit organization in 1999.

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