Food impact report - Winter 2026

An update on MCC food projects

A woman from India holds her child and radishes in front of a wall.

India Nigeria — jan 2026

menu_book Impact report

Food

janvier 30, 2026

Growing hope in India

With your generosity, small plots are making a big difference for families

For years, the 279 members of the Santal indigenous community in Birbhum, India, struggled to break free from poverty and poor nutrition. As the only source of income, rice farming trapped the community in a cycle of hardship. With the market flooded with low prices, families earned barely enough to survive. Meals lacked essential nutrients. Many were forced to leave their homes during the off season in search of work or fall deeper into debt to get by.

But now, hope is growing — thanks to your support.

Because of your generosity, families are learning sustainable ways to feed their families and earn income with support from local MCC partner Asansol Burdwan Seva Kendra.

Between April and June 2025:

Through 37 community meetings, 152 people discovered how to grow and tend kitchen gardens filled with fresh vegetables and fruits.
In hands-on workshops, 114 people learned how to raise chickens and ducks for food, income and natural fertilizer that helps their gardens thrive.
259 families were provided with fruit trees — lemon, guava, mango and jackfruit — the small beginnings of future orchards. Farmers are coming together to create seed banks and learn how to safely store food. Together they are unlocking access to government programs, new markets and a healthier future for the whole community.

*When we first met Kalidasi Soren, only one in five families in her community had enough nutritious food to stay healthy. Now, thanks to your support and the spread of home gardens bursting with vegetables like spinach and radishes, that number has more than doubled. Today, 48% of families in the community are eating well, earning a bit more income and building a steadier livelihood. (MCC photo/Pabitra Paramanya)

Families are planting gardens, protecting children and rebuilding their lives with your kind support.

A woman from Nigeria sits on a blanket with vegetables that she sells for her small business. — Kangyang Mwanvwang, a 50-year-old widow in Plateau State, Nigeria, faced the challenge of feeding seven children alone after losing her husband. With courage and your support, she started a small business to grow and sell vegetables like spring onions, cabbage and peppers. A seed grant followed, helping launch a pig farm as well. Today, Kangyang provides for her family, sending her children to school and feeding them nutritious food. (Photo courtesy of Almanah Rescue Mission/Mary Gyang)

Families in Plateau State, Nigeria, have long endured conflict. For over two decades, violence has forced many from their homes, deepened poverty and made education harder to access.

With your generous gifts, MCC partner Almanah Rescue Mission is supporting 300 vulnerable families, helping them rebuild their lives and strengthen their incomes. Here’s what you helped make possible between October 2024 and March 2025:

In communities within the Riyom Local Government Area and Jos South Local Government Area, families learned to grow vegetables in small home gardens. This puts fresh, healthy food on the table and provides an opportunity to earn extra income by selling what they don’t eat.
Communities learned water conservation techniques to stretch limited water resources during the dry season when hunger and waterborne diseases tend to spike.
300 determined individuals received seed grants to grow small businesses, boosting economic momentum and sparking hope.

To learn more about MCC food initiatives visit mcc.org/food