News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Food-bank-cans-main_article_image.jpg
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
UK News

Christian food bank charity urges public to donate food to counter school holiday hunger

by Press Association

The Trussell Trust, which is a Christian charity that runs a network of food banks across the UK, distributed 87,496 food parcels for children during July and August 2018, up from 73,226 the previous year.

The charity urged the public to donate food, warning that summer holidays can mean children missing out on school meals, and the extra cost of childcare can cause difficulties for hard-pressed families.

 

Food bank use overall increased by 19 per cent in 2018-19 according to the Trussell Trust's figures, and the charity expects the trend to continue.

The trust's chief executive Emma Revie said: "Food banks will do all they can to help families over the summer, with many running holiday clubs to support parents who find that their income simply won't stretch to meet the extra pressure of missing free school meals or paying for additional childcare during the holidays.

"But no charity can replace the dignity of having enough money for the basics."

She called on the Government to ensure that benefit payments cover the "true cost of living" and that work pays a "real living wage".

"Every family should have enough money coming in for a decent standard of living," she said.

"No child should face going hungry in the UK."

Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

The Trussell Trust said that tackling delays and gaps in benefits should be treated as a priority by the Government.

It called for an end to the five-week wait for a first Universal Credit payment, which it claimed was a key driver of need at food banks in the charity's network.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Margaret Greenwood said: "The Government cannot simply abdicate responsibility for families being pushed into poverty and children going hungry in the summer.

"Labour will stop the roll-out of Universal Credit and make tackling child poverty a key priority for Government once again."

Government officials said 95 per cent of UC claimants are paid in full and on time, with advances available for people who cannot wait for their first payment.

A Government spokesman said: "Our priority is to support people to improve their lives through work while helping low income families with the cost of living.

"That's why we have raised the personal allowance to take 1.74 million of the lowest paid out of income tax altogether, frozen fuel duty for the ninth consecutive year, increased the National Living Wage and confirmed that the benefit freeze will end next year.

"Meanwhile, we've seen record high employment and wages continuing to outstrip inflation so people have more money in their pocket."

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate