Children going hungry in the summer holidays

At my foodbank we are running a four week programmed to feed children and their parents/guardians. They will have a breakfast and a cooked lunch, with physical activities morning and afternoon. There are many activities locally, but this one feeds adults too, and is completely free.

Well done to all of you who are helping families who are having problems over the summer. I must admit I hadn't thought of this. So many kind people on GN.

Sainsbury have a food bank box so I make sure I always put something in there when I go in.

For a while now I have made the local food bank my priority charity. I can spread donations out each month and I know that they go directly to those in need.
Though I do find it appalling that a first world country should need food banks, while those at the top of the money banks are raking it in.

I was reminded to donate any personal hygiene items to the food bank trolley as these items are often missed out and the last thing families buy when they are in need,also any nappies which are on offer,always welcome by mums who are struggling.

Thanks for this reminder. When I was a child school kitchens cooked dinners for children on free school dinners. Another backward step in our caring society. Well done NanKate for your reminder and all your work. I will donate.

most schools in Scotland are open for lunches during the holidays to make sure that the children who get free school meals are still fed.Some are open at breakfast time and give them cereal etc then and packed lunches away with them .I'm very happy that we dont forget these wee ones from disadvantaged homes .

So pleased to hear there are all these schemes in the country. Great Trisher you have joined the Clan. ?

Yes Glamma sanitary wear is very much needed too, thanks for reminding me.

paddy ann Well done Scotland. It gets more and more attractive.

I went to my local food bank with a donation
I watched people in the queue smoking filter cigarettes and drinking energy drinks.
I came away feeling I was just subsidising addiction.

Missfoodlove those people are there because they have been sent by social wor or doctors etc...they dont just turn up and takewhat they want.
Sometimes when things are very tough a cigarette is the one thing that will get them through the day ..so dont grudge them that ..or the drink .
I well remember when we were starting our business 40 odd years ago we were completely broke and would get very downhearted so we would scrimp to get enough money for 1 pint of beer with OH's friends so he didn't feel he was misssing out .It was a lifesaver and probably a business saver too .Without that we might have given up and just got jobs.Instead we've been running the business and two others ever since.Dont judge unless you've been in their position .

With the Benefit system we have in this country no one should need a food bank. People turn up in cars! I wonder do they have expensive mobile phones with contracts and are they watching the World Cup on huge sized Tv’s. With a SKY contract? Unfortunately it’s the children who suffer as their needs are not always put first. Sorry to whinge but honestly I have seen it all in mylife so far.

Ever since I heard from a friend who works voluntarily in a food bank about a family of five adults - perfectly able to work but choose not to - because they openly admitted to receiving more money in benefits -including food from the food bank - than if mother,father, 3 strapping sons all went to work - I have refused to contribute. I frankly don’t believe they cannot work and am cross that the nanny state continues to allow this sort of laziness to persist.

I wonder how many people who use food banks spend their benefits on cigarettes, drugs, gambling or alcohol instead of food. Sorry, I don't support food banks at all. Don't have children if you can't afford to feed them. I am very against immigration in general but do admire the spirit of some of the young Eastern Europeans. If they can travel thousands of miles to start a new life and get a job in this country then our people should be able to provide for themselves too.

Some of the things you are saying could well be true, but we mustn't forget in this children are going hungry, even if their parents could look after them properly some choose not to.

Montymops, Missfoodlove - it must be wonderful to be so perfect and all-knowing that you can make judgements about other peoples' lives and motives without knowing anything about them. Ever heard that old saw “walk a mile in my shoes”?

Granny Scott have you heard of brighthouse. This how people on benefits get all the nice stuff . But they double or triple what it cost your or . As they can't get credit any other way .

Lots of people sell or steal (then sell on) phones hence that is why you see people on benefits with nice phone.
You can get cheap some for phones
You have to be online to get benefit and look for jobs .

Quizqueen - which immigrants are you against? Our overseas NHS staff, the Windrushers, war orphans? Or just the ones you view as not good enough to be here?

Paddyann Well said. It doesn't take long before the judgment starts. Heaven forfend that someone poor should smoke a cigarette. They are meant to live in penury and prove continually to total strangers that they are deserving. There is nothing that people who are well off like more than micromanaging the spending of the poor.

quizqueen - "Don't have children if you can't afford to feed them"

That's a bit of an assumption. Who's to say those families weren't well able to afford their children when they had them. We never ever know what lies around the corner for us.

They do say we are only three pay cheques away from homelessness and poverty. Any one of us could end up in that position through no real fault of their own

Oh dear.
Some very judgemental Gransnetters on this thread.

Do you know there are people who are working long hours for low pay who STILL have to resort to foodbanks to feed their families?

Do some research before you pass judgement!

I wouldn't mind betting the ones complaining about ''scroungers'' are people who voted Tory, wanted Brexit very badly and don't like immigrants.

What a brilliant idea paddyann . Nothing like that around here sadly . The families who would normally get free dinners at my grandchildrens primary ( and I would imagine there would be a very high percentage) must really struggle during the long summer break especially those with a few children.
Our WI collects food for the local food bank all year round but nothing specific to help children during the summer holidays .

It could be that sometimes both parents, or single parent, have to go to work.
Feeling a bit guilty here - when our 4 were 10-15 both husband and I worked full time and the summer hols. were always a problem.
Sometimes I paid a lady to keep an eye on them and cook a meal, later they fended for themselves, took turns, or I dashed back in my lunch hour.
TG no serious accidents.