Frequently asked questions

The No Hungry Child Programme is a structured nutritious-meal and child-development programme for underprivileged children. Participating organisations establish and operate a local centre where children receive nutritious food along with non-formal education, hygiene awareness, good behaviour, life skills and values. The larger objective is to bring vulnerable children closer to education and mainstream society.

The centre combines nutrition, education and child development. Children can receive nutritious meals, hygiene education, good behaviour and good attitude training, sharing and caring values, non-formal education, educational and cartoon-based videos, life-skill activities and guidance towards mainstream education. The objective is to create a safe, positive and engaging environment where children enjoy coming to the centre and gradually develop better habits and attitudes.

No. Food is only the starting point. The meal attracts the child to the centre. Once the child is there, the programme uses that opportunity to introduce hygiene, discipline, education, values, good behaviour and life skills. The long-term objective is child development and mainstreaming into education, not merely meal distribution.

The programme combines three things: FOOD → LEARNING → TRANSFORMATION. A nutritious meal brings the child to the centre. Learning builds knowledge, hygiene, discipline and values. Continuous guidance creates the possibility of bringing the child back towards education and mainstream society. The objective is not merely to feed a child for one day. It is to help change the child’s direction in life.

The programme is intended primarily for vulnerable and underprivileged children, including homeless children, children living or working on the streets, children living in slums or vulnerable communities, school dropouts, children who are not currently attending school, and other children facing severe social or economic disadvantage. The programme is not simply about providing food. Food is the attraction that brings the child to the centre, where learning and development can begin.

The programme is designed around a substantial number of children per centre, with the exact number depending on the approved programme model, location, infrastructure, available manpower and local circumstances. The participating organisation must have the capacity to manage the approved number of children safely and effectively.

Children should be identified through responsible local outreach. Potential sources include slum communities, street locations, homeless communities, local schools and teachers, community leaders, social workers, child-focused organisations, local volunteers and other reliable community networks. Children should be identified based on genuine need. The programme should never encourage children to leave school merely to participate.

The programme requires proper child registration and documentation. The child registration form captures information such as the child’s name, date of birth/age, gender, address/location, father’s and mother’s details, contact information, school status, present living situation, health and food-related information, emergency contact and parent/guardian declaration. A passport-size photograph can also be maintained as part of the child’s programme record.

The programme is open to organisations and individuals who have the commitment and capability to implement it responsibly. This may include existing NGOs, social workers, community organisations, individuals passionate about serving underprivileged children, socially committed citizens, and housewives or other individuals who want to create a meaningful social initiative. A person does not necessarily have to be an existing NGO to express interest. The suitability of the applicant and the ability to implement the programme will be evaluated.

Not necessarily. The programme also encourages genuine social workers and individuals who have a strong commitment to serving underprivileged children. Where required, the appropriate organisational and legal structure can be established before implementation.

The organisation may propose a location, but the suitability of the location and proposed centre will be evaluated against programme requirements. The location should have genuine access to the target population and be capable of supporting safe and effective programme operations.

The programme is intended to work across India through suitable participating organisations and implementation partners. The availability of a particular location will depend on programme capacity, applicant suitability and successful completion of the application and approval process.

There are four different pathways available for participation. This has been designed because every organisation has different financial capabilities and circumstances. You do not have to choose the same pathway as another organisation. You can select the pathway that best matches your financial capacity, resources, infrastructure and ability to implement the programme.

No. The programme has four pathways. Some pathways involve financial commitment/security, while other pathways have been designed specifically for organisations that cannot provide such security. Therefore, an organisation should not discontinue its interest merely because it cannot meet the requirements of one particular pathway. Choose the pathway that suits your circumstances. Where a refundable deposit or investment is required, it is a commitment mechanism to serve children through the right people — not a programme fee.

There are alternative pathways. One such pathway is designed for organisations that cannot provide the required security but are willing to demonstrate their commitment and implementation capability through a smaller pilot programme. The complete terms and conditions of all four pathways are explained in the Four Pathways / Financial Support documents in the Information Pack.

The pilot pathway allows a suitable organisation to demonstrate its ability to implement the programme on a smaller scale before being considered for the larger programme. This provides both sides with an opportunity to establish credibility, operational capability and commitment through actual implementation.

The centre requires suitable premises for the kitchen, classroom/learning activities, dining and other programme requirements. The participating organisation may use its own premises or arrange suitable premises according to the approved programme requirements.

The centre requires a properly planned kitchen capable of preparing nutritious meals safely and hygienically for the approved number of children. The kitchen should have appropriate cooking equipment, storage, washing facilities, utensils, food-safety practices and trained manpower. Detailed kitchen requirements are provided in the Programme Information Pack.

Yes. The programme provides structured guidance covering centre setup, kitchen requirements, classroom and non-formal education, child identification, hygiene practices, manpower, branding, programme implementation, fundraising and sustainability, and reporting and documentation. The participating organisation is expected to follow the programme guidelines and maintain the required standards.

The programme requires a disciplined team covering key functions such as centre/programme management, kitchen operations, child education and facilitation, child care/support, housekeeping and fundraising and sustainability. The exact manpower requirement will depend on the number of children and the approved centre model.

Yes. Fundraising is an important part of the long-term sustainability model. Participating organisations are expected to develop their own donor and fundraising capabilities so that the programme can become increasingly self-sustainable. A dedicated fundraising structure is envisaged, including a 3+1 fundraising team — one supervisor and three executives.

The objective is not to create permanent dependency. The programme gives the organisation an opportunity to establish a functioning centre. At the same time, the organisation is expected to develop its own fundraising capabilities, donor relationships and community support. The ultimate goal is sustainability.

Social media can become a powerful part of the fundraising strategy. The fundraising team can document genuine programme activities through photographs, videos, stories and short-form content, subject to appropriate child-safeguarding, consent and privacy practices. The purpose is to show donors and the public the real impact being created at the centre.

Participating organisations must maintain the applicable legal and statutory registrations required for their activities. Depending on the organisation and its structure, this may include PAN, TAN where applicable, bank account, income-tax registrations/approvals where applicable, 12A/12AB where applicable, 80G where applicable, CSR-related eligibility where applicable, and local permissions and licences applicable to the centre. The exact requirements depend on the organisation, state and nature of operations.

The participating organisation is expected to maintain proper records of programme activities, children served, meals provided, educational activities, manpower and expenditure. Photographs and videos may also form part of programme reporting, subject to appropriate consent and child-protection practices. The programme is built around transparency, accountability and measurable implementation.

Do not make any payment immediately. First, go through the programme information and understand the four pathways. Then express your interest and provide the required information. The programme team will guide you through the next stage after understanding your organisation, location, resources and preferred pathway.

You should first watch the programme videos and understand the Four Pathways. If you are seriously interested, we recommend going through the complete Information Pack before making a final decision. You can also contact the programme team if you have questions that are not answered in the material.

If you believe you have the commitment, capability and passion to participate, go through the programme information and select the pathway that suits you. You can then submit your Expression of Interest and proceed through the application process. If you are genuinely interested in serving underprivileged children, there is a pathway for you.