Sixty FedEx volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help fight child hunger in Cebu, packing 10,000 fortified meals that will provide months of nutritional support to public school students in underserved communities.
The initiative, organized in partnership with Rise Against Hunger Philippines, is expected to benefit around 166 students in Cordova, Cebu, providing them with nutritious meals for at least 120 days.
Each meal pack contains rice, dehydrated soy, vegetables or fruits, flavoring mix, and micronutrient powder fortified with 18 essential vitamins and minerals. The meals are designed to support children’s growth, cognitive development, immune function and overall health.
The activity was held during FedEx Purple Week as part of the company’s FWS Day of Service, an annual initiative honoring FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith and encouraging employees to make a difference in the communities where they live and work.
The volunteer effort comes as the Philippines faces renewed concerns over child malnutrition. Data from the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute showed that stunting among Filipino children under five climbed to 25.3 percent in 2025, affecting roughly one in every four children and marking the first recorded increase since 2015.
For FedEx Philippines Managing Director Maribeth Espinosa, improving access to proper nutrition can make a lasting difference in a child’s future.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential, and proper nutrition is an important foundation for that journey,” Espinosa said.
“By collaborating with Rise Against Hunger Philippines, we are able to support children and families in underserved communities while contributing to a broader effort to address food insecurity and improve nutrition outcomes.”
Rise Against Hunger said partnerships such as the one with FedEx help extend nutritional support beyond immediate hunger relief by helping children remain healthy and ready to learn.
“FedEx has been an incredible global partner in the fight against hunger,” said Sally Bull, Director of Philanthropy at Rise Against Hunger. “The meals packaged through this latest volunteer engagement in the Philippines will help nourish children while supporting their education, health and brighter futures. Together, we’re creating lasting impact.”
The Cebu activity builds on previous collaborations between FedEx and Rise Against Hunger Philippines. The two organizations earlier provided 3,600 meals to Aeta communities in Pampanga as part of efforts to support vulnerable families and address food insecurity.
Beyond the Philippines, FedEx continues to commemorate the legacy of its founder through community service initiatives worldwide. In another tribute to Smith, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority renamed Memphis International Airport the Frederick W. Smith Airport, recognizing his contributions to aviation, global commerce and the city of Memphis, where FedEx maintains its global headquarters.
For the children receiving the meals in Cebu, however, the impact is far more immediate — one nutritious meal at a time.
