Our Work

The purpose of the Foundation's activities and support are to ensure at-risk children living in poverty have the tools they need for success, and food to alleviate hunger and ensure proper childhood development.

Recent Programs

San Isidro Labrador - Nangka Distribution

1/2

San Isidro Labrador - Nangka - May 8, 2026

San Isidro Labrador - Montalban Distribution

1/2

San Isidro Labrador - Montalban - May 9, 2026

1/3

St. Mary Elementary School - May 15, 2026

1/2

Our Lady of Guadalupe - May 16, 2026

School Supplies Assistance Program - SY 2026-2027

Children from very low-income families in three parishes and one elementary school in Marikina City, Philippines, were identified as beneficiaries of the School Supplies Assistance Program for the 2026–2027 school year. Due to financial hardship, many of these children had been unable to attend school in previous years because they lacked basic educational materials and tools for learning.

Studies have shown that insufficient educational resources can negatively affect students’ attitudes and academic performance. Conversely, being properly prepared for school helps keep children motivated and excited to learn. Research also indicates that providing children with their own school supplies can improve grades, creativity, attitudes toward learning, behavior, peer relationships, and self-esteem.

To help address this need, Fellner Family Foundation purchased and pre-assembled grade-appropriate backpacks, school supplies, and school shoes for children from San Isidro Labrador – Nangka, Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Isidro Labrador – Montalban, and St. Mary Elementary School.

Working alongside volunteers from the three parishes, the backpacks were filled with supplies and shoes, then distributed to:

250 children from San Isidro Labrador – Nangka in Grades 1–10 on Friday, May 8, 2026;
95 children from San Isidro Labrador – Montalban in Grades 1–10 on Saturday, May 9, 2026;
27 children from St. Mary Elementary School in Grades 1–6 on Friday, May 15, 2026; and
250 children from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Grades 1–10 on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Maria Concepcion Sandi and Marilyn Sandi Manuel, members of the Foundation’s branch in the Philippines, served as liaisons with the parishes and school.

Feeding Program Sponsorship - CY 2026

San Isidro Labrador – Nangka and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes in Marikina City, Philippines, minister to children from extremely low-income families through parish-based feeding programs. Many of these families face severe food insecurity, leaving children without regular access to the nutritious meals necessary for healthy growth and development. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition and related health conditions that, in the most severe cases, can become life-threatening.

Despite the overwhelming need, both parishes have limited financial resources and are unable to sustain regular feeding programs without outside assistance. As a result, meals are often provided only once per month and only when sponsorship funding is available.

In 2026, the Fellner Family Foundation continued its commitment to supporting these vulnerable children by sponsoring monthly feeding programs for up to 70 children within the boundaries of San Isidro Labrador – Nangka parish and up to 80 children within the boundaries of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. The Foundation also expanded the program in 2026 to include a third parish, San Isidro Labrador – Montalban.

As of May 15, 2026, the Foundation has sponsored meals for 280 children at San Isidro Labrador – Nangka. Planning and coordination are currently underway for the launch of the feeding programs at Our Lady of Guadalupe and San Isidro Labrador – Montalban later in 2026.

Beyond addressing physical hunger, the feeding program also seeks to nourish the children spiritually. Before each meal, volunteers provide basic catechism instruction centered on the Catholic faith, prayer, Christian values, and moral living.

As shared by San Isidro Labrador parish:

“Catechism, we believe, is a valuable tool by which we may communicate the truths of the Word of God to the children, our future generation. It does not only teach basic Christian doctrine, but also shows how to live according to God's law and how to pray. That is why our main goal now is to catechize the children in every feeding activity so that they may learn the basic truths of Christian faith and living as they build a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

More San Isidro Feeding Pics >>>

Children being taught Catechism before eating meal

More Guadalupe Feeding Pics >>>

Past Programs

Backpacks with supplies before distribution at School Supplies Assistance Program

Child receiving backpack with school supplies and school shoes

Happy child after receiving backpack with school supplies and school shoes

School supplies before assembling into backpacks

School Supplies Assistance Program
SY 2021-2026

The Fellner Family Foundation launched its School Supplies Assistance Program for the 2021–2022 school year by purchasing, organizing, assembling, and delivering backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to 23 children in kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Linus Elementary School in Norwalk, California. The program was created to ensure that children from low-income families begin the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn with the essential tools needed for academic success.

In the following school year, 2022–2023, the Foundation expanded the program internationally by including children from extremely low-income families served by Holy Family Catholic Parish in Marikina City, Philippines. A total of 201 children in kindergarten through Grade 10 were selected to receive backpacks and school supplies.

For many of these children, financial hardship had previously prevented them from attending school because their families could not afford even the most basic educational materials. Studies have shown that a lack of school supplies can negatively affect students’ academic performance, motivation, and self-confidence. Conversely, children who are properly equipped for school are more motivated and engaged in learning. Research also demonstrates that access to personal school supplies can improve grades, creativity, classroom behavior, peer relationships, attitudes toward learning, and self-esteem.

The Foundation further expanded the program during the 2023–2024 school year, increasing the number of recipients at Holy Family Catholic Parish to 265 children and adding 100 recipients from San Isidro Labrador – Nangka Catholic Parish, also located in Marikina City. In addition to backpacks and school supplies, the Foundation began providing school shoes to help meet the children’s broader educational needs.

Recent School Supplies Assistance Program distributions include:

SY 2024–2025: 257 children at Holy Family Parish and 251 children at San Isidro Labrador – Nangka Parish.
SY 2025–2026: 149 children at Holy Family Parish, 250 children at San Isidro Labrador – Nangka Parish, and 150 children at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Through this continuing program, the Fellner Family Foundation remains committed to helping children from financially struggling families pursue their education with dignity, confidence, and hope for a brighter future.

Feeding Program
CY 2021 - 2025

Through its Weekend Food Program in 2021 and 2022, the Fellner Family Foundation worked to combat childhood hunger among students at St. Linus Elementary School in Norwalk, California. The Foundation researched, purchased, organized, packaged, and delivered nutritious food each week to 24 children in kindergarten through eighth grade who were at risk of going hungry over the weekend. Meals were provided every weekend throughout the academic school year, helping ensure that these children had consistent access to food outside of school.

Programs such as these have been shown to reduce absenteeism, decrease behavioral referrals to the principal’s office, and lessen visits to the school nurse for hunger-related issues. By helping meet students’ basic nutritional needs, the program enabled children to spend more time focused on learning in the classroom, contributing to stronger academic outcomes for students living in poverty.

During the Fall 2021 semester and Spring 2022 semester, the Foundation provided a total of 4,392 meals through the Weekend Food Program.

Beginning in 2022, the Foundation expanded its efforts internationally by shifting the primary focus of its feeding initiatives to Marikina City, Philippines, where food insecurity among children from extremely low-income families remains a significant challenge. Following the distribution of backpacks and school supplies through the School Supplies Assistance Program, the Foundation sponsored meals for 201 children at Holy Family Parish in calendar year 2022 and an additional 265 children in calendar year 2023.

Recent sponsored monthly feeding programs include:

CY 2024: 257 meals at Holy Family Parish, 335 meals at San Isidro Labrador – Nangka Parish, and 545 meals at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, all located in Marikina City, Philippines.
CY 2025: 750 meals at San Isidro Labrador – Nangka Parish and 2,548 meals at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Through these feeding initiatives, the Fellner Family Foundation continues its mission of supporting vulnerable children by addressing one of their most urgent needs — access to nutritious food — while helping create healthier, more stable conditions for learning, growth, and hope.