In 1985, when Father Oreste Benzi visited the Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (“Community Pope John 23rd”) mission in Zambia, he realised that for 10,000 lire at the time (or 15 euros today) a meal a day, for an entire month, could be guaranteed to a malnourished child.

The Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII doesn’t want to be a mere spectator when confronted with the enormous injustice of hunger, and for this reason it has started the initiative "Un pasto al giorno” (A meal a day).

The objective is to fight against the indignity of dying of starvation, and to ensure as many many people as possible have enough food to meet their basic needs.

Since the first food and nutrition centre for children opened 25 years ago in Zambia, our aid bases have grown in number.
Today there are over 500 facilities in 27 countries on 5 continents, where more than 41,000 people are welcomed to sit at a table together with us to eat a hot meal, where there is always a smile to comfort them and keep their hopes up.

Many more people still seek our help.

Thanks to your support, we can ensure a meal a day for those who have nothing to eat.

Inaugurato il refettorio di Chalna in Bangladesh

The Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII doesn’t want to be a mere spectator when confronted with the enormous injustice of hunger, and for this reason it has started the initiative "Un pasto al giorno” (A meal a day).

Many more people still seek our help.

Missions in Chalna

Missions in Zambia

The life in Dakka