Odyssey saves more kids from malnutrition

Another 150 previously underweight children have been saved from malnutrition under the second phase of the supplemental feeding program of Odyssey Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of meat processing firm CDO Foodsphere Inc.

According to Marites Escarcha, CDO general manager, the children beneficiaries from Barangay Mapulang Lupa in Valenzuela City received health certificates confirming that their weight has improved to normal levels, in simple ceremonies at the CDO compound last April 8.

The children aged three to six undertook 16 weeks of supplemental feeding where they receive food and vitamins, four times a week, from Tuesday to Friday, courtesy of CDO and its partner-companies United Laboratories and Del Monte Philippines.

This was the second time Odyssey Foundation conducted the feeding program aimed at easing the massive malnutrition problem in the country.

In October 2005, it also restored to normal levels the weight of the first batch of 116 children beneficiaries, who used to suffer from severe and mild malnutrition.

"It is the objective of CDO, through Odyssey Foundation, to share with the society the gains we have reaped through the years. We intend to expand the coverage of the feeding programs to areas where there is high incidence of malnutrition," Escarcha said.

Odyssey, a non-stock, non-profit organization, has an accreditation from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

It receives grants, gifts, legacies, donations and financial aids to assist its operations focused on nurturing the health of underweight children in the Philippines.

The foundation has helped as many as 600 poor children from its supplemental feeding program and other programs in partnership with various companies and non-government organizations since 2005.