Families across the UK are being forced to skip meals themselves just to ensure their children eat over the school holidays. With free school meals only provided during term-time, many parents are facing a daunting financial burden of up to £200 per child for food alone during the six-week break.
According to Dan Slatter, chief executive of FareShare Sussex & Surrey, the current situation is "a mountain of need", with rising levels of food insecurity and extreme hunger among vulnerable families. He cites disturbing data from the South East, where hospital admissions for malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies have doubled and nearly tripled in recent years.
While some local authorities are providing holiday activities and food camps through initiatives like Club4 in Surrey, these services are not universally accessible. Only children eligible for benefit-related free school meals can attend, leaving out families who may still be struggling financially.
One family that has first-hand experience of relying on food banks is Steve, a senior warehouse manager at FareShare Sussex & Surrey. With his own daughter having relied on a food bank while they were homeless, he urges those in need not to hesitate in seeking support – reassuring them that "help is there".
FareShare, which also works to reduce food waste by redistributing surplus food, is currently appealing for financial donations to help meet the escalating demand. Even a modest donation of £1 could be transformed into four meals, highlighting the significant impact individual contributions can have in alleviating hunger for families struggling during this critical period.