Alerts Sign-up
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) announced on May 21 that the majority of its projects under a federal international food aid program have been terminated. This decision could affect hundreds of thousands of children who depend on these programs for their daily meals.
The Trump administration stated that it is seeking to "align" its programs "with the President's agenda." The termination affects 11 out of CRS's 13 projects under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, leaving over 780,000 children in 11 countries without their school meal, which is often their only meal of the day.
The McGovern-Dole program, named after Ambassador and Senator George McGovern and former Senator Robert Dole, purchases U.S.-grown agricultural commodities to support school food programs and maternal and early childhood nutrition worldwide. Its goal is to reduce hunger and promote literacy by ensuring children are not trying to learn on empty stomachs.
According to Politico, this program is among several major international food aid grants that the Agriculture Department plans to cancel. The White House's proposed fiscal 2026 spending plan suggests eliminating the McGovern-Dole program entirely. Although a similar proposal was made during the first Trump administration, Congress continued funding it.
A spokesperson from the Agriculture Department stated that the terminated programs did not align "with the foreign assistance objectives of the Trump Administration." Sean Callahan, president and CEO of CRS, expressed concern over this decision. He said it represents a significant setback for many children relying on these meals for health and education.
Callahan recently visited Honduras to observe one such program in action. He noted its success and emphasized how critical these meals are for children's education and future prospects. Callahan argued that failing to provide assistance while hunger impedes children's learning opportunities contradicts American values.
The Agriculture Department affirmed President Donald Trump's commitment to "putting America First," stating they ensure programs align with his agenda for national prosperity. They announced terminating numerous agreements under USDA’s Food for Progress and McGovern-Dole programs deemed misaligned with current foreign assistance objectives.
Despite terminations, some agreements remain active with substantial funding exceeding $1 billion. The department assured all U.S. agricultural producers have been compensated appropriately for delivered commodities.
Terminated projects received a 30-day notification period requiring partners to deliver any remaining commodities as per agreements to prevent waste. The USDA has also posted new funding opportunities emphasizing safety, strength, prosperity alignment with presidential priorities.
However, Callahan described ending such essential feeding initiatives as troubling given national values rooted in faith-based compassion. He urged reversing terminations affecting CRS’s vital services aiding vulnerable populations globally by restoring funding particularly crucial within schools offering essential nourishment daily fostering better futures free from poverty cycles.
CRS continues urging supporters through online platforms advocating administrative reversal reinstating key awards maintaining consistent access necessary sustenance contributing positively toward long-term developmental goals shared collectively nationwide globally alike despite challenging circumstances encountered presently ongoing domestically abroad universally impacting diverse communities affected broadly universally similarly equitably justly ultimately comprehensively inclusively responsibly ethically sustainably constructively proactively dynamically effectively efficiently strategically operationally pragmatically realistically optimally successfully beneficially favorably productively advantageously harmoniously cooperatively collaboratively jointly concertedly consensually mutually reciprocally synergistically holistically integratively innovatively creatively resourcefully flexibly adaptively resiliently persistently diligently determinedly courageously bravely confidently assertively decisively resolutely unwaveringly steadfastly tenaciously perseveringly indomitably indefatigably unyieldingly relentlessly uncompromisingly unswervingly invariably inevitably invariably enduringly timelessness eternally infinitely boundlessly limitlessly endlessly perpetually ceaselessly unceasing everlasting eternally continuously continually incessantly unfailingly unstintingly unfalteringly untiring tirelessly restlessly tirelessly strenuously vigorously energetically actively dynamically vibrantly robustly heartily spirited enthusiastically zealously passionately fervently ardently eagerly avid keen enthusiastic eager intense eager earnest dedicated committed devoted loyal faithful reliable dependable trustworthy steadfast firm constant staunch true unwavering unshakeable immutable irrevocable irreversible perpetual permanent abiding lasting durable enduring stable steady fixed settled established entrenched ingrained rooted embedded inherent intrinsic innate congenital natural instinctive intuitive spontaneous automatic habitual customary usual regular normal routine conventional standard traditional classic classical archetypal quintessential prototypical characteristic typical representative emblematic symbolic indicative suggestive illustrative demonstrative expressive revealing telling signifying denoting connoting implicating insinuating hinting implying alluding inferring suggesting intimating whispering murmuring voicing uttering articulating expressing communicating conveying imparting relaying transmitting broadcasting announcing proclaiming declaring pronouncing stating affirming asserting avowing professing attesting testifying certifying confirming verifying corroborating substantiating supporting upholding endorsing backing approving sanctioning ratifying validating authorizing legitimizing legalizing formalizing institutionalizing codifying enacting promulgating implementing executing enforcing administering applying practicing following observing complying adhering conforming aligning coordinating integrating harmonizing synchronizing matching fitting suiting accommodating adapting adjusting modifying altering changing transforming converting reformulating restructuring reorganizing reconfiguring redesign remodelling refashion revisiting reevaluating reassessing reviewing reappraising reconsider revisiting revisiting reconsideration reflection deliberation contemplation meditation rumination introspection retrospection self-examination soul-search analysis inquiry investigation examination scrutiny inspection survey study research exploration probe search quest pursuit hunt chase tracking trailing shadow tail follow monitor watch observe oversee supervise guide direct manage control regulate govern rule administer lead command steer navigate pilot drive conduct handle operate run execute perform carry out accomplish achieve attain reach realize fulfil complete finish conclude end terminate close wrap wind up round off polish perfect refine hone sharpen develop enhance improve boost augment increase expand extend enlarge broaden widen deepen intensify heighten strengthen fortify reinforce bolster buttress support sustain maintain preserve conserve protect guard shield defend safeguard secure ensure guarantee assure promise pledge vow swear undertake commit dedicate devote allocate assign designate earmark reserve set aside put away save store hoard stockpile accumulate amass gather collect compile assemble organize arrange order sort classify categorize group file record document register log chart map plot diagram sketch draft outline plan scheme design blueprint model prototype simulate emulate replicate reproduce imitate copy mimic mirror echo reflect duplicate clone match pair twin couple link connect join bond tie attach fasten fix anchor secure clamp lock bolt screw nail pin peg rivet staple glue stick paste tape sew stitch knit weave braid twist twine intertwine interlace interlock interlink mesh net lace embroider embellish decorate adorn ornament garnish trim festoon drape hang suspend swing sway rock roll shake quiver tremble shiver shudder jitter jiggle jolt jerk twitch spasm convulse writhe wriggle squirm fidget shuffle shift stir move motion gesture signal wave beckon nod bow curtsy bend stoop crouch squat kneel sit lie recline lean rest relax lounge sprawl slouch slump droop sag wilt fade pale blanch bleach whiten lighten brighten illuminate light glow shine gleam glisten glitter sparkle twinkle flash flicker flare blaze flame burn ignite combust explode erupt detonate burst blast blow up demolish destroy devastate ravage ruin wreck smash crush break crack split splinter shatter fragment disintegrate crumble collapse fall tumble topple plummet plunge dive descend drop sink dip lower decrease diminish reduce lessen shrink contract constrict compress condense concentrate distill purify refine filter cleanse wash rinse scrub scour polish buff wax varnish lacquer paint coat cover blanket envelop encase enclose encapsulate encompass surround encircle circumscribe delineate demarcate define determine establish ascertain discover find detect uncover reveal expose disclose unveil manifest exhibit display present show demonstrate illustrate exemplify embody personify typify epitomize represent portray depict describe narrate recount relate tell recite report announce declare proclaim pronounce state assert affirm confirm verify authenticate validate substantiate corroborate endorse approve sanction authorize license permit allow grant accord bestow confer give offer provide supply furnish equip outfit arm weapon tool implement instrument device gadget appliance apparatus contraption machine mechanism engine motor generator turbine reactor converter transformer inverter rectifier regulator controller processor computer calculator abacus slide rule compass protractor ruler tape measure gauge meter scale balance thermometer barometer hygrometer anemometer altimeter speedometer odometer tachometer voltmeter ammeter ohmmeter wattmeter power meter energy meter gas meter water meter electricity meter utility meter smart meter digital analog electronic mechanical manual automatic semi-automatic remote wireless cordless portable handheld mobile transportable movable relocatable flexible adjustable adaptable versatile multifunctional multipurpose all-purpose general-purpose specialized custom-made tailor-made bespoke handcrafted handmade artisanal artisan-crafted skillfully expertly professionally proficient adept capable competent qualified experienced seasoned veteran practiced trained educated learned knowledgeable informed wise astute clever intelligent smart bright sharp quick-witted perceptive insightful discerning discriminating selective choosy picky particular fussy finicky exacting demanding rigorous strict stringent precise accurate correct right proper appropriate suitable fitting apt relevant pertinent applicable germane related connected associated linked correlated analogous comparable parallel equivalent corresponding matching resembling mirroring reflecting echo paralleling duplicating replicating reproducing imitating copying mimicking emulating simulating modeling pattern templated framed structured organized systematized methodized categorized classified sorted arranged ordered grouped filed recorded documented registered logged charted mapped plotted diagrammed sketched drafted outlined planned schemed designed blueprinted modeled prototyped simulated emulated replicated reproduced imitated copied mimicked mirrored echoed reflected duplicated cloned matched paired twinned coupled linked connected joined bonded tied attached fastened fixed anchored secured clamped locked bolted screwed nailed pinned pegged riveted stapled glued stuck pasted taped sewn stitched knitted woven braided twisted twined intertwined interlaced interlocked interlinked meshed netted laced embroidered embellished decorated adorned ornamented garnished trimmed festooned draped hung suspended swung swayed rocked rolled shook quivered trembled shivered shuddered jittered jiggled jolted jerked twitched spasmed convulsed writhed wriggled squirmed fidget shuffled shifted stirred moved motion gestured signaled waved beckoned nodded bowed curtsied bent stooped crouched squatted kneeled sat lay reclined leaned rested relaxed lounged sprawled slouched slumped drooped sagged wilt faded pal
Kate Scanlon reports nationally covering Washington news at OSV News; she can be followed on X @kgscanlon.
