VitaMeal relief bags nutritious alternative to canned goods

MANILA, Philippines – The Force for Good Foundation of Nu Skin Philippines is running a donation drive to provide Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors with nutritious meals in the form of VitaMeal bags that not only fill up their stomachs but will help them regain their nourishment as well.

Done in partnership with Feed the Children Philippines (FTCP) the first leg of VitaMeal distributions last November 14, Force for Good was able to hand out 17,000 hot meals in Hernani, McArthur, and Basey in Samar; and Ormoc and Tacloban in Leyte. Due to their established network FTCP serves as their logistical arm and helps determine where to provide aid.

Aside from meal distributions they were able to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), parishes and colleges to set up feeding centers in the Tacloban Redemptorist Church and Divine Word College.

In addition 10,000 VitaMeal bags are ready to be sent to the Red Cross in Cebu who they are looking to partner with to increase their reach.

On November 28, the second leg of meal distributions aims to distribute 720,000 meals across 24 areas in Northern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Nothern Cebu, Capiz, and Iloilo over a span of one month.

Nutritional value

Each VitaMeal bag, which is a mixture of rice and lentil, can yield 30 cups with 295 calories per cup. It can be prepared in its pure form by simply adding boiling water or augmented with additional ingredients to make the taste more palatable, especially for children who are more particular about the taste of their food.

“For Yolanda relief, our partner Feed The Children Philippines is distributing hot meals in the form of VitaMeal champorado. Each bag is when mixed with 10 cans condensed milk, ½ kilo cocoa powder, 2 kilos sugar, and 4 kilos rice yields 500 hot meals,” said Nu Skin Philippines corporate communications manager, Ren dela Cruz.

As an alternative to canned goods and crackers that may fill up bellies but contain empty calories and preservatives dela Cruz asserted, “VitaMeal is packed with nutrition.”

While regular donations of canned goods and instant noodle play a major role in providing immediate relief, VitaMeal seeks to restore nutrition lost during the days and weeks that Yolanda survivors suffered from food scarcity and manutrition. As of Nov 27, 2013 the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 1.34 million children under the age of 5; 650,000 pregnant and lactating women; and 800,000 elderly people are at risk of acute malnutrition. 

Each pack is fortified with 25 essential vitamins and minerals including: vitamin A for vision and immune functions, bone nutrients that aid in growth and skeletal development, electrolytes needed for maintaining fluid balance and muscle functions, and fatty acids that support brain development, skin health and immunity defense.

For every 50 VitaMeal bags donated, the foundation is matching it with an additional 10 bags making it a total of 60 bags more for every 50. Each bag is priced at P1,640 and can provide a meal for 30 children or 15 adults.

Interested donors may visit their online donation portal to help support this relief effort or call 868-7546.

Dela Cruz said the goal is to continue the relief efforts to reach, “as many as we can for as long as needed.” – Rappler.com

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