Stop Hunger, Sodexo's unique philanthropic cause, is a global non-profit network working towards a world without hunger. The evening also honoured organisations improving access to water for vulnerable communities around the world.
Today, 2.2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water, while climate change, pollution and droughts are threatening food security worldwide. Throughout the evening, guests gained deeper insight into these challenges while discovering inspiring initiatives improving access to water for vulnerable communities.
Sophie Bellon, chairwoman of the board of directors at Sodexo and Stop Hunger, said: “Thirty years after its creation by Sodexo employees, Stop Hunger has become a powerful example of what collective action can achieve.
“Reaching more than 100 million beneficiaries supported since 2015 is a major milestone - but also a call to go further, by continuing to mobilise our ecosystem to fight hunger and support vulnerable communities worldwide.”
Three NGOs were honoured for demonstrating how reliable access to water can transform lives, health and strengthen food security. They were:
- Better With Water (Philippines): for developing affordable running water networks in underserved communities lacking public infrastructure for more than 15 years.
- Naandi Foundation (India): for pioneering, since 2005, a decentralised drinking water model, now reaching more than three million people across hundreds of villages.
- Rendez-vous Solid’R (Guinea, Conakry): for bringing drinking water wells to underserved communities in West Africa since 2020.
This year’s edition achieved a record fundraising total of €1,440,000, reflecting the continued trust and commitment of Stop Hunger’s corporate partners and donors in supporting concrete action against hunger and food insecurity worldwide.