How ‘A Child’s Right to Hope’ Defined Mary’s Meals in 2025
In a year that began with global humanitarian funding cuts, escalating conflicts, declarations of famine, and increasing hunger, Magnus’ introduction of a child’s right to hope resonated long after he delivered the speech at the Vatican.
That powerful speech took place on February 3rd at the Vatican. There, Magnus spoke about the challenge of eradicating child hunger at the prestigious World Leaders Summit at the Vatican, organized by the late Pope Francis. It was attended by a select group of world and humanitarian leaders, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and Rania Al-Abdullah, Queen of Jordan. Addressing the audience about child hunger, Magnus said, “We in this room could make it happen.” Magnus spent the day discussing a child’s right to education, healthcare, food, nutrition, and play. But one of the key concepts he introduced was a child’s “Right to Hope,” which left a lasting impression.
In April, Mary’s Meals screened its new documentary, “On the Frontlines of Hunger,” at the Sarasota Film Festival in Florida. Featuring an exclusive interview with musician and activist Sir Bob Geldof and narrated by actress Roma Downey, the film highlights how emergency levels of hunger are threatening the population in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and emphasizes the unwavering resilience of the Ethiopian people amidst a humanitarian crisis. The film has toured the United States, where it has raised more than $400,000 to provide meals for the children we serve and has helped to fuel the expansion of the Tigray school feeding program to reach an additional 125,000 children in 2025.
In May over Mother’s Day weekend in Des Moines, Iowa, the 12th annual Race to Feed Kids took place with 245 people participating in the 5K Race/Walk. Their collective efforts raised enough funds to feed 317 children for Mary’s Meals through the Heartland for Kids organization led by our own Ellen Miller.
The summer kicked off in musical style on June 19 at the 7th annual Free Concert to Benefit Mary’s Meals USA at the Canterbury Hill Winery & Restaurant, Holts Summit, in Missouri. An estimated 100-150 people attended the concert and heard three great performers and Michelle Keller speak about Mary’s Meals mission. Enough funds were collected to provide 573 children with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year.
In July, Mary’s Meals released its 2024 Impact Report showing the positive outcomes for children’s health, growth and learning. This year’s report also highlighted an overview of our program expansions in eight countries reaching an additional 462,000 children and focused on the importance of school meals in the aftermath of conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia.
Over the summer the musical journey continued thanks to longtime supporter Steve Angrisano. Across Davenport and Dubuque, Iowa, this Catholic singer, songwriter, and storyteller performed nine concerts in support of Mary’s Meals as part of his annual summer concert series. These concerts were capped by the 9th annual Concert to Benefit Mary’s Meals in Des Moines, Iowa at the Jasper Winery on August 28 with 600 attendees who helped to raise enough money to feed 2,460 children.
On September 8, Mary’s Meals announced it was feeding 3 million children in 16 countries thanks to global giving, volunteers, and supporters. This expansion included a major scale-up in eight countries—Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—reaching an additional 462,000 children in 2025 affected by hunger and disrupted education due to conflict, climate extremes, and political or economic instability.
Less than a week later, Magnus came to the US to speak in Kentucky and Ohio during a multi-city visit. He delivered a presentation to Thomas More University in Kentucky, followed by a presentation in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then went on to Columbus, where he spoke at Old Dominican University, following a showing of “On the Frontlines of Hunger.”
The next day, Magnus spoke at the 2nd annual Concert for a Cause in Columbus and even received a surprise bagpiper performance! More than 350 people attended this family-friendly event that included live music, food and beverages, children’s activities, local vendors, and opportunities to learn more about Mary’s Meals at an interactive booth. Additionally, $47,000 was raised to help provide school meals for 18,650 children for a year!
In October, longtime Mary’s Meals supporters Wayne and Deb Waldera of Minnesota hosted a fundraiser attended by 230 guests, featuring remarks from Terry Bonet, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals USA. The annual event raised $30,000—enough to feed a school for an entire year.
In early December, Mary’s Meals presented its first Sound of Hope Christmas Festival in Dallas, Texas. This inaugural free, family-friendly event offered live music, including a choir set to perform at the Vatican, local shopping, seasonal tastings, and activities including an Advent Alley with Christmas Carols and a festive Mary’s Meals booth. The event offered something for everyone and was designed to introduce Mary’s Meals in Texas, spark cheer and inspire generosity through local and global giving.
As 2025 drew to a close, Mary’s Meals was already looking to 2026 to reach the next hungry child and share the message and invitation to join this global movement. As Magnus says, lots of little acts of love – donating, fundraising, attending events, promoting, and especially, prayers – help make the school feeding work of Mary’s Meals possible. And a daily meal at school reinforces a child’s right to hope.