Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) current annual budget for programs is approximately US$ 3 million. 27% of total budget is destined to nutrition.
Have high food prices made it more difficult to provide meals to the same amount of children?
Yes, especially in a city like Quibdó, which is in some degree isolated from the rest of the country, with poor roads and infrastructure. Furthermore, it has been a territory dramatically affected by the internal conflict. In some occasions commerce has been blocked into the city and that makes food prices rise significantly.
However, there is always a margin for price increases and inflation in the planning of our projects, so we can guarantee sustainability throughout the year.
Does the Barefoot Foundation partner with other organizations in Colombia in terms of school feeding?
The foundation Works hand-in-hand with institutions such as ICBF (Colombian Family Welfare Institute) and local Family Benefit Funds for the provision of school meals, improving access to nutrition and school restaurant service standards.
Pies Descalzos partners with international NGOs for funding of the program. In addition to this, it establishes alliances with local NGOs and institutions for the operation of school restaurants, monitoring and training activities.
How can someone get involved and help the Barefoot Foundation's school feeding and other projects?
Anyone interested should visit our Spanish or English website where they can find instructions on:
- Becoming a volunteer: sharing time and knowledge in the implementation of our multiple programs.
- Sponsoring a child through our "godparent program": supporting children with monthly donations and developing a long-lasting relationship with them.
- Donating: choosing a program of their preference and donating in kind or monetary resources.
Does the Barefoot Foundation plan to support school feeding in other countries? Is this the purpose of the U.S. based office of the Barefoot Foundation?
Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) doesn't plan to expand its school feeding program to other countries. Our current priority is strengthening our operation and improving quality of service in the three areas of intervention in Colombia. The U.S-based Barefoot Foundation has the purpose of raising and channeling funds, but it's not directly involved in the implementation of feeding programs.
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