Children who enjoy a free school lunch during term time face going hungry over the holidays as some families find they are unable to bridge the food gap, according to new data released by anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust.
With the six-week holiday now underway, the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation is urging those who can, to donate to the town’s foodbank, or to support them via a financial contribution.
Letchworth Foodbank is sponsored by Churches Together and The Trussell Trust and has been assisted by the Heritage Foundation for the past few years. It not only serves Letchworth, but also those in need in Hitchin, Baldock and some of the surrounding villages.
“Over the coming weeks we’re expecting to be as busy as Christmas, which is a time when many people contribute to foodbanks, commented Letchworth Foodbank volunteer, Enda Byrne. “In the summer, people are thinking holidays – not hunger. Families who rely on their children having a free hot lunch at school can find themselves in difficulty over the holidays.”
Last summer most children who received support from foodbanks were between 5-11 years. Figures also show that more than 4,400 three-day emergency food packages were given to children in July and August 2016, more than in the previous two months.
Letchworth Foodbank uses a voucher system which can be issued to people in need by local referral agencies such as churches, schools (in term time), Citizens Advice Bureau, Job Centre, North Herts Homes and various welfare charities. People in need can call to the Foodbank on Tuesday or Friday mornings at Mrs. Howard Memorial Centre to speak with a Foodbank volunteer or call 07825 300 437."
Food donations can be left in the Letchworth Foodbank baskets at:
- Morrisons, LetchworthBroadway
- Sainsburys, Eastcheap, Letchworth & Hitchin
- Waitrose, Hitchin
Items most needed: Long-life fruit juice, dried milk, tinned meat, tinned potatoes (small), dried potatoes, tinned vegetables, sugar (500 gms), pasta sauce (not pasta), tinned fruit, sponge pudding, tinned rice pudding and toilet rolls.
Financial contributions can be made directly to ‘Letchworth Foodbank’, a/c no. 13987337 at Barclays Bank, Sort Code 20 – 41 - 12
For more information visit www.letchworth.foodbank.org.uk or email info@letchworth.foodbank.org.uk
