News / Feeding Bristol
11,000 Bristol schoolchildren facing holiday hunger
An urgent city-wide response is needed to save thousands of Bristol schoolchildren from the “devastating harm” caused by holiday hunger this summer.
Charity Feeding Bristol has issued a stark warning after the government cut funding for a range of projects that – among other things – ensure young people are provided with proper meals during the school holidays that low income families can struggle to afford.
It is calling on businesses and organisations to step in and help raise the six-figure sum needed now to ensure up to 11,000 schoolchildren are saved from the poor physical and mental health caused by holiday hunger.
is needed now More than ever
Feeding Bristol, which acts as an umbrella organisation for community groups, outreach, sports clubs and projects across the city, has launched a campaign to raise £100,000 to provide food for the thousands at risk of going without this summer.
The charity was awarded £30,000 from the Department of Education for a successful pilot project last year, but has been told it will not receive government funding to do the same this summer.
The pilot project ran a number of sports clubs and activities during the school holidays – and providing attendees with a free meal
Chairman Andy Street said: “Bristol has the highest number of children claiming free school meals in the South West and among the highest proportion in the country, at nearly 20 per cent.
“We are acutely aware of the devastating effects of holiday hunger on children’s mental and physical wellbeing and had put forward ambitious plans to government to continue the good work we had been doing in the city last year.
“These plans have not been supported, so we have a funding gap which could mean that thousands of children will go hungry in July and August.
“This should not be accepted in one of the country’s most successful, thriving cities. We are therefore working with city and business leaders to urgently address this crisis.
“There is a lot to do, quickly, but we have been encouraged by the level of support we have had so far.”
Business leaders will meet in the city on Tuesday to discuss the extent of the crisis in Bristol and how they can help.
Fareshare South West is one of the organisations working to tackle holiday hunger
Working in partnership with FareShare South West, and other local bodies, Feeding Bristol aims to use the money to prepare and deliver food to a network of activity providers, youth and community groups across the city.
The £100,000 will help will support the delivery of more than 67,000 meals to children and their families during the summer holidays.
Young Bristol, a charity that operates a network of community clubs across the city, is a key project partner.
Speaking about the need for such a project, Young Bristol programme manager Matt Donnelly said: “Our youth workers have been aware of the issues surrounding holiday hunger for a long time, but we have noticed that the problem has worsened in recent years.
“When many of our children struggle to get enough food during term, it’s clear to us that the problem will be worse during the holidays.
“That is why this campaign is so important to us, and the city of Bristol. We hope as many businesses as possible help us to tackle this crisis and stop thousands of children and young people going without meals this summer.”
He added: “Our projects aim to ensure that young people benefit from taking part in activities as well as being fed. Working in this way helps to avoid stigma, which is an important area to address through this work.”
Anyone who is interested in helping can contact Feeding Bristol on info@feedingbristol.org. To donate, visit www.feedingbritain.org/donations/donate-to-feeding-bristol/.
Read more: ‘Holiday hunger is a blight on the childhood and future of young people’
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