Beijing, Apr 9 (IANS): A charity programme initiated by a group of journalists through the internet has been providing free lunch to 15,000 children from needy families across China.
The "Free Lunch for Children" was launched by a reporter. Deng Fei, and later joined by more than 500 reporters.
It is now operated under the China Social Welfare Foundation, the China Daily reported Monday.
The foundation says the programme has received 18 million yuan (around $3 million) in donations since it began in April last year.
The programme raises funds through an online shop on China's online shopping website Taobao. People can donate by buying a virtual charity product or actual items.
With these funds, the programme distributed money to 129 schools for providing free lunch to students from needy families.