How You Can Help End Child Food Poverty
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There has been a lot of discussion in the last week around child food poverty. Notably, because the government chose to vote against extending free school meals over the October half term to families who are struggling financially.
Ending food poverty is something I feel very strongly about – I regularly donate both food and money to my local food bank and each year I take part in the Reverse Advent Campaign organised by Andy Webb who runs UK Money Bloggers.
Why Is There Food Poverty In The U.K?
This year has been awful in many ways. No one predicted the global pandemic which has left many people with no income at all or trying to survive on 80% or 70% of their usual pay. Lots of businesses have gone under and people are struggling to find jobs.
For people that were already struggling and living hand to mouth, losing even just 20% of their income will have been a huge blow.
While many argue that Universal Credit was set up to help people in these circumstances, it can often take five to six weeks for claims to be processed, leaving families with no income during that period.
Often this leaves people with a choice between paying rent, paying for heating or electric or buying food with the little money they do have.
I’ve seen some pretty horrendous comments on social media such as ‘Don’t have kids if you can afford them’ and ‘A jacket potato only costs 20p’.
However, it’s pretty difficult to predict how circumstances might change four or five years down the line. No one predicted a global pandemic, that’s for sure.
Additionally, 11.5 million people in the U.K have less than £100 in savings. That wouldn’t last long if your income disappeared overnight.
While I agree that yes, some foods are very cheap, there are many factors that contribute here such as needing money for transport to access cheap food in the first place and having the electricity to cook it.
Even where parents are to blame for poor financial choices, that should not mean their child should go hungry and the child should never be blamed for this.
What Can You Do To Help?
In recent months, you may have seen lots of campaigns by footballer Marcus Rashford around extending the vouchers for free schools meals over the summer holidays and into this October half term.
As Marcus grew up in poverty, he understands all too well how important this subject is and his activism is admirable. It’s really lovely to see a young footballer using their voice for good and I think he is an amazing role model for children everywhere.
Below I am going to look at some of the ways you can help End Child Food Poverty by supporting food banks and other charities – not all of them cost money so even if you are in a position where you cannot donate food or money, there are plenty of other things you can do to help.
Donate Money
One of the best ways you can help is by donating money to either Fareshare or The Trussell Trust (Links Below).
Both of these charities do amazing work around food poverty and donating money, rather than food helps them buy items they may be running low on or that don’t get donated very often. It can also help with running costs such as rent and electricity.
For every £1 you donate fareshare are able to provide four meals to those in need. You can choose to donately monthly or make a one off donation.
Donate Food / Toiletries
Picking a few items up with your weekly shop to donate is another way to help charaties such as the Trussell Trust. Most supermarkets have collection points for their local branch – this means the food you donate will be going directly to people in your area.
It’s worth checking in with your local food bank to see what they actually need – many of them have plenty of pasta, rice and baked beans but need items that are donated less often such as UHT milk and tinned meats.
I do a lot of couponing and will often pick up free and discounted items that I won’t use myself to donate. It’s also worth remembering to donate non-food items like nappies, washing up liquid, toiletries and sanitary products.
If you want to donate directly to someone who is need you could also put a shoutout on social media asking anyone who needs food to PM or you could leave some essential food items at someone door if you know they are struggling.
Donate Your Time
Foodbanks are often run by volunteers so donating your time is another way you could help. Find if your local foodbank is looking for volenteers here.
If Covid-19 has you worried about being in concact with others, there are plenty of roles that can be done from the comfort of your home, such as becoming a social media advocate.
You could also organise community efforts to either raise funds or donate food to your local food bank.
Like and Share
Talking of social media, one of the easiest ways you can help others is by harnessing the power of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Whether you do a shout out offering food at your house or retweet information about where others might be able to find help locally every small thing you do share could really help someone in need.
Marcus Rashford has been tweeting all the local businesses who have stepped to provide support during this half term by offering free meals so if you want to share information it’s a great places to start.
Support Local Business
Despite being hugely impacted by Covid-19, thousands of businesses up and down the UK have now offered free schools meals to children in their local area, hopefully ensuring no children go hungry this half term.
If you are able to, some are taking donations to help cover the costs associated with this and I for one will be seeking out a couple to support in my local area.
Aditionally, lots of cafes offer a pay forward sytems where you can buy a drink or sandhwhich that they will then pass on to someone in need.
Donate Using Tesco Vouchers
Did you know you can use your Tesco Vouchers to donate to Fareshare? Just use this link.
Sign Petitions
Another way we can advocate for change is by signing petitions. In this case, people would like to see MPs (who are often on £80k+ per year salaries) have their expenses for food withdrawn.
On top of having a £25 a day expense allowence for food, the Houses of Parliement restaurants and bars are heavily subsidised at the tax payer expense, running at a loss. I’m not sure there’s anywhere else in the U.K you could get a Ribeye steak and all the trimmings for under a tenner!
Yet, these politicians won’t help support vuerbale children with a free meal during half term in one of the worst economic years in history.
Stop MPs Claiming Expenses For Food
Use Your Vote
If you’re unhappy with how the government voted on this then it’s worth thinking about whether they are the party you can support in the future at the next general election.
Your vote really does matter and while I would never tell anyone who to vote for, I think it’s so important to exercise this freedom we are lucky to have.
Where To Get Help If You Need It
If you are struggling with your finances there is plenty of help out there.
Call The Trussell Trust Free Helpline
If you are in financial crisis and are living in England or Wales, you can call free on 0808 2082138 (Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) to talk confidentially to a trained Citizens Advice adviser who will asess your needs. They will issue a food voucher if you are elidgable. (Taken from the Trussell Trust Website)
Call The Samaritians
If you struggling with anything, includuing food poverty you can call the Samaritians on 116 123.
