Question about Feed the Children:

[coffeenap]

Do they deliver bibles and/or other religious materials along with food? Are the kids required to attend religious services in order to receive food? I ask because a school my child attends has chosen to endorse this group and although I know the needs are great, I want to be clear about this org. I have visited their website, and it is obviously a mission-based org as well as a relief org. I am not discounting their efforts, but I want to know from someone who has experience with them. Thanks.

[militaryWife]

1. I don't know if I can help, but

we have been giving to Feed the Children for about 10 years now. I went to charitynavigator.org (which ranks charities, how much $$ goes to fundraising and how much goes to the CEO, etc., and they gave it 4 stars (which is good). You might find the website a good resource, a place to start.

[coffeenap]

2. Thanks--I appreciate your advice. I am trying to find out if there

is a religious requirement attached to the receipt of help. Peace.

[zalinda]

3. This might help

http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=org_medical_missions
Although I don't know if it's required to attend bible study for food.

zalinda

[coffeenap]

9. Thanks--I have looked over the site--it leads me to believe there

is probably a religious requirement, but I would like to be sure before I open my, well, big, mouth.

[TWiley]

4. I avoid all religious charities.

There were widespread complaints during the Tsunami relief efforts of Christians refusing help to those who would not receive a good scolding for being a Heathen.

I do support the "Interfaith Alliance" however and donate regularly to them. Their focus is on battling the religious right in America.

Donate to a good old fashioned secular charity. A higher percentage of your dollars will get where it is needed.

[coffeenap]

6. Thanks--I am trying to be diplomatic at my kids' school--I want to

support the kids doing good things, but I WILL NOT support a group that has a quid pro quo. But, before I open my big mouth at the school, again, I would like to know if they actually require something from the kids. I have to say I am operating on the assumption that they DO require a religious process before receiving aid.

[leftchick]

5. there is a group that looks into these charities

I saw it last night on some show. Anyway the group lists the charities from the WH site and examines how they spend their money and if it is done properly. The reason I noticed save the children is I have seen it advertised a lot on TV. It was listed as one of the worst users of your donor dollars.

I wish I could remember the show and the organization that examines them. :(

[coffeenap]

7. Thanks--np-- their ratings seem to vary. My family has already

donated to the charities of our choice--all direct to local Texas food banks--but I am usually involved in the projects our school does for others so I am deciding whether or not to protest this decision. The school is comprised of people of varied religions and I know many parents would not be supportive of an effort that requires recipients to participate in a religious event. (of course, no one else is likely to speak up--everyone is afraid to say anything...)

[Cerridwen]

8. Feed the Children has had problems over the years

Here's a link to Charity Watch which unlike the org promoted on the news yesterday evening, thinks Feed the Children has questionable operations.

http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/feedchildren.html

I've not heard good things about them, but that's just me.

Edited to add another link:

http://ctlibrary.com/2091

[coffeenap]

10. Thanks--I forwarded this to the school. Sometimes a person just

has to do what a person has to do.