Core Insights - The Free Lunch Fund, initiated 14 years ago, has significantly contributed to alleviating hunger among rural children in China, providing over 44 million meals to date [8][10][11] - The project has evolved from a simple meal provision initiative to a comprehensive program that integrates education and community resources, aiming for sustainable development in rural areas [13][15] Group 1: Project Overview - The Free Lunch Fund was launched in April 2011 by media figure Deng Fei and over 500 journalists, with the goal of providing free lunches to children in need [8] - As of April 2025, the fund has raised a total of 1.247 billion yuan, supporting meal programs in 1,830 schools across 26 provinces, benefiting over 440,000 children [10][11] - The initiative has implemented a "transparency reform" since 2014, utilizing blockchain technology for tracking donations and establishing a national auditing system [9] Group 2: Technological Integration - The project partnered with Alibaba Cloud in 2019 to develop an AI nutritionist system, which adjusts meal plans based on children's health data, leading to a 23% reduction in anemia rates in pilot schools [9][11] - In 2024, over 90% of donations came from internet platforms, highlighting the role of digital technology in expanding the reach and efficiency of the fund [11] Group 3: Community Engagement and Education - The "Big Tree Teacher Plan" was launched in 2024 to empower rural teachers and transform schools into resource hubs, enhancing educational opportunities for children [13][15] - The initiative encourages active participation from local communities, with teachers using social media to raise awareness and resources for their schools [14][15] Group 4: Future Directions - The Free Lunch Fund aims to deepen its strategies of "openness, connection, and talent" to further integrate rural schools with urban resources and international networks [15] - The project is transitioning from merely providing meals to fostering educational empowerment and community collaboration, indicating a shift towards a more sustainable model of support [15]
免费午餐筹集12.47亿惠及1830所学校44万学童 链接多方力量多维度助力中国乡村振兴
Chang Jiang Shang Bao·2025-05-19 00:29