Struggling Parents Resort to Selling Personal Items to Feed Children During Holidays, Including Use of Children's Birthday Money for Purchases
In the heart of London, The Felix Project, a charity dedicated to providing food aid to children at risk of hunger during school holidays, is facing an unprecedented surge in demand.
According to Rachel Ledwith, the charity's head of community engagement, even with 5,000 cooked meals a day, the demand outstrips what they can provide. This staggering revelation comes as the charity supports approximately 1,200 organisations across London.
The demand for The Felix Project's services has increased significantly, with William Ford Junior School in Dagenham being one of the many institutions that have partnered with the charity to run a food bank during the summer holidays. Family support worker Kerry Noakes from the school stated that the need for food assistance is much greater than initially expected.
The situation is particularly dire for families like Richard's. A father-of-three from London, Richard has been selling personal belongings to feed his children during the school summer holidays. He admitted to struggling and needing help, but finds it hard to do so due to feelings of shame.
The Department for Education (DfE) recognises the school holidays as a pressurised time for parents. In an effort to alleviate some of this pressure, they have invested £600m to extend the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) program for another three years. The HAF program funds councils to provide holiday childcare, activities, and food for children eligible for free school meals.
The Felix Project's report reveals that 67% of teachers in England are worried about at least one child in their class going hungry during the summer holidays, which equates to approximately 675,000 pupils at risk. More than half of the 9,000 teachers surveyed by The Felix Project fear up to three children per class may be affected, while 13% are concerned about four to six pupils.
Despite these worrying statistics, the government's investment in the HAF program aims to help parents make savings of more than £300 a year, according to the DfE. However, with The Felix Project's 800 organisations on its waitlist, it's clear that more needs to be done to ensure no child goes hungry during the school holidays.
Rachel Ledwith also states that there are still children going hungry despite the incredible work the charity is doing. This highlights the urgent need for continued support and action to combat food insecurity in the UK.
