Feeding Families in Crisis
Thanks to your generous support, we are providing emergency food relief to victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine.
Feeding People in Crisis
The difference between life and death
Conflict, economic shocks, extreme weather events, and rising fertilizer and fuel prices are combining to create a chronic food crisis of unprecedented proportions. And when disaster strikes, these existing needs are exacerbated and amplified. In 2025, two famines were declared in Gaza and Sudan, and nearly 70% of acutely food-insecure people live in conflict-affected countries.
In the wake of disaster or crisis, our food projects are providing a critical response. When urgent and critical needs arise, when mothers and children are hungry, and when livelihoods are threatened, your generous support is helping to share life with hope-deprived communities around the world.
Nourishing hungry communities
Emergency Food Kits Save Lives
After an unexpected disruptive event, having access to food can mean the difference between life and death. We provide emergency food kits to victims of displacement and disaster that include staples such as rice, beans, corn, salt, and cooking oil, as well as dehydrated vegetable mix and canned goods.
- Food aid for these responses may be procured locally, sourced from Canada, or a combination of both.
- Children with acute malnutrition are treated with a nutrient-dense, high-calorie, and vitamin-fortified peanut paste.
- Emergency food kits can feed a family for one month and contain a mixture of dried food items that can be used to cook healthy meals.
- Beyond immediate relief, our teams work to defeat long-term hunger by providing seeds, farming tools, livestock, and training to grow crops and raise animals for food and income.
Restoring Life and Hope
‘Because of That Food, We Are Alive’
War came without warning. Gunfire exploded around Guesh’s home in Tigray, Ethiopia, and he ran for his life.
As his family scattered, the father of eight quickly faced the nightmare that any parent dreads. “Not knowing whether your family, your children, are alive or not. That was the worst thing I ever felt,” he said.
For three months, Guesh searched for his family among millions of people fleeing the violence that engulfed northern Ethiopia starting in 2020. When he finally found them, he said, “I was the happiest. I was very happy. It was like seeing them born again.” But Guesh’s happiness turned to fear because he didn’t know how he was going to provide food for them.
Guesh gave his children leaves, roots, and insects to eat, things normally reserved only for the animals. “To be hungry and then not know what you can do about it is the most difficult thing,” he said. “But you cannot sit there and then die.”
Samaritan’s Purse has distributed 49,100 metric tons of food, including cereals, legumes, oil, and therapeutic food packages to ward off malnutrition in children to over 1.7 million Ethiopians during the past four years. When Guesh settled in a displaced persons camp near the town of Sheraro, Ethiopia, our teams continued delivering emergency food.
“Because of that food, we are alive,” Guesh told us. “Food is life. So, whoever is giving you food is giving you life. We feel like Samaritan’s Purse gave us life. We always thank God.
“What I pray for my children is for them to have a peaceful life. I pray for them to have food and drink on their table,” Guesh said.
Food Projects Impact in 2025
Food security, livelihoods, and agriculture training in action
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beneficiaries of acute malnutrition services.
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Metric tons of food distributed.
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People provided with food assistance.
Why Food Projects Matter
Join us in sharing life with hungry communities
A Kit of Hope
Each emergency food kit provides a family with critical food staples such as rice, beans or other legumes, and cooking oil to survive a crisis. During distributions, cooking demonstrations are provided to show beneficiaries how to use the food. These food distributions also target severe acute malnutrition in children by providing a nutrient-dense, ready-to-use peanut paste.
Long-Term Resilience
Beyond emergency supplies, our teams seek to equip families and communities in crisis not only to survive but to thrive. Our food projects include providing agriculture and livestock training, and providing the seeds and tools to grow crops and raise animals. These provisions help families to move from crisis dependence to self-sufficiency and restore hope to their lives and futures.
God’s Love Made Abundant
As God restores hope to families, He also gives the opportunity to share the Gospel. During distributions, the Good News is shared in a tangible way. Communities know that. Generous Canadians like you care about their suffering and have sent food. They also learn there is a God who sees them in their suffering and pain and cares. Each food kit becomes a tangible expression of God’s love as hope, dignity, and life are restored.
Food Projects
Help provide emergency food relief to victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine.
Hover here for a quick gift, or click the button for the full donation page.