The Feed A Child [FAC] initiative was launched in 2023 as a direct response to the economic strain following the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, HelpGate Foundation’s soup kitchen catered to all members of the community in need—children, adults, the elderly, and the unemployed. However, the severe funding constraints brought about by the post-COVID era forced us to reassess and streamline our efforts.

In alignment with our SPELL Project—which focuses on early prevention of substance abuse—we narrowed our focus to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults, recognizing the critical role nutrition plays in learning, behaviour, and overall well-being.
While the original plan was to serve only secondary school students, appeals from teachers in nearby primary schools led us to extend the programme to younger pupils as well. In 2024, we were able to provide daily meals for two months, then weekly for one month due to funding and campaign with the slogan “Every Child Deserves a Breakfast” raising awareness on nutrition.

On the 30th of September 2025, we flagged-off our new phase of the FAC initiative – feeding of indigent children in public primary schools. With the approval of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board [LASUBEB] we kicked off with ten [10] primary schools within the Surulere Local Government axis under the jurisdiction of the Lagos Education District IV namely:
Obele Nursery & Primary School, Randle Avenue Nursery & Primary School, Adeniji Nursery & Primary School, Obele-Odan Nursery & Primary School, Wesley School 1, Wesley School 2, Ansar-Ud-Deen Nursery & Primary School, Al-Wajud Nursery & Primary School, Subuola Nursery & Primary School and Methodist Nursery & Primary School. We have since fed twenty-five [25] persons in each school twice a week [Tuesdays and Thursdays] consistently with the support of our partners, volunteers and team of staff.

We shall keep expanding our reach and impact as sponsorship increases to empower us.

Through this initiative, HelpGate Foundation has not only provided meals but also restored hope, dignity, and motivation to young lives, reinforcing our commitment to holistic youth development and drug abuse prevention.