The World Food Program opened a monthlong exhibit Friday in Tokyo that features photos of children worldwide benefiting from the WFP school meal program and relief goods they have received.

The exhibit is intended to show how school lunches help pull recipients out of hunger and illiteracy.

"By creating a more holistic way of presenting things, we want to give a face to the story of hunger and promote public understanding on the crucial role the school lunch program plays in the children's development," said Kaoru Nemoto, public relations officer of the Japan office of the WFP.

It is the second time for the Japan office of the U.N. food agency to hold an exhibit of this kind at United Nations University in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, following one in October.

Unlike the previous exhibit, which featured only photos, the latest is showcasing items such as relief goods, namely nutritional biscuits and food oil.

The WFP launched a global campaign in 2001 in its belief that providing a nutritious meal at school is a simple but concrete way to give poor children a chance to learn and thrive.

WFP-sponsored school meals encourage children to attend class and help them focus on their studies, the agency said.