What is Sponsor A School?

Sponsor A School gives you the opportunity to provide nutritious daily meals for an entire school for a whole year. It’s an amazing way to have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children. We calculate the total cost to sponsor a school as the number of children enrolled in that school, multiplied by our current cost per child (for a year), which is just €22.

How do I make donations to my chosen school, and how can I check my total?

You can sponsor a school in two ways: fundraising or a personal gift.

Some people choose to fundraise, often alongside family and friends, to cover the cost of their school. This is a great way of bringing people together to create an amazing impact. We have lots of ideas on how you can raise money for your sponsored school. Contact our team below for more information.

Alternatively, some people choose to cover the full cost themselves or with friends and family, as a one-off donation, or through multiple donations or regular gifts, including Direct Debits, throughout the year.

However you choose to sponsor your school, you will be provided with a personal fundraising page (which is displayed on the Mary’s Meals website), where you can make donations and keep track of your total. You can share this with your friends, family and colleagues.

If you wish to make a donation any other way (e.g. bank transfer or personal cheque), please ensure to contact us so that we can allocate this to your chosen school.

Can someone from Mary’s Meals come to my school/workplace/group to talk about your work?

Yes, we have a wonderful team of volunteers who are always happy to provide support with talks in the community. Please contact our Mary’s Meals team to find out more.

Are the funds I raise restricted to my chosen school only?

No, your donations will be restricted to your selected country, rather than to your specific school. This is to ensure that every child in the schools that are allocated to the Sponsor A School programme can be fed, even if the enrolment number changes or their allocated sponsor is unable to raise the funds required. This model allows Mary’s Meals to be flexible and keep our promise to all the hungry children who rely on our school meals.

Will I receive updates from the Mary's Meals staff regarding the school I am sponsoring? 

Once your school has been fully funded in the first year of sponsorship, our in-country team will begin collecting information from the school that we will then be able to share with you. This might take the form of photos, videos and/or quotes from students, teachers and volunteers. We ask for your patience and flexibility as the content collection process can be quite challenging, depending on the location of the school.

If I don’t reach my target within 12 months, will the school still be provided for?

Yes, your chosen school will still be provided for and we will ensure that the children there will receive Mary’s Meals every school day. Our team is committed to helping support you on this journey to reach your goal and would be happy to speak further if you are having trouble reaching it.

What happens if I exceed my target during the year?

If your efforts surpass your expectations and you exceed your fundraising target over 12 months, that’s incredible news! Be assured that any donations above your target amount will be used to feed hungry children in the same country as your sponsored school.

Please note:  

Mary’s Meals does not own any of the schools where the meals are provided, and we cannot guarantee that enrolments or circumstances of your sponsored school will remain the same from the time of sponsorship until the end of your fundraising year. There may also be rare occasions where we are unable to deliver school feeding in an area due to unexpected events. We will keep you informed of any significant changes.