1,400 needy children in Derbyshire will benefit from 'end holiday hunger' drive

At least 1,400 disadvantaged children will benefit from nutritious meals this summer holiday under an initiative in which charities provide food to 16 clubs around the county.

The move follows statistics from Derbyshire County Council that applications for free school meals soared by more than 600% between March and May, compared to the same time in 2019,

Free school meals vouchers continue to be available over the summer holidays – but many families will still struggle.

Matlock based charity, Rural Action Derbyshire, heads up the Feeding Derbyshire partnership which has secured funding from Feeding Britain for school holiday food projects. The charity has partnered with FareShare Midlands which has received support from Central England Co-operative.

The summer holiday food project aims to provide more than 100,000 meals and 85,000 pieces of fruit.

Four days’ worth of supplies each week will be delivered to every child registered with participating clubs over the six-week summer holiday.

Feeding Derbyshire has also provided a cash grant enabling clubs to purchase additional items for children, including toiletries, sanitary items and craft materials.

Mandy Chambers from Feeding Derbyshire said: “Ending ‘holiday hunger’ in the county is a major part of the Feeding Derbyshire plan. Before the coronavirus outbreak there were almost 25,000 children in Derbyshire who were eligible for free school meals, and the financial hardship created by the crisis means this number is only increasing.”

Rural Action Derbyshire works with 28 food banks and 22 community cafes. During the last two months, the charity has helped Derbyshire projects to double the amount of food provided to people in need.

It is estimated that it will cost more than £88,000 to continue to support families over the next academic year – although this figure could rise if the free school meal voucher scheme is withdrawn after the summer.

To support this vital work, go to www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/Appeal/school-holiday-clubs-2020