No Child Hungry This Summer: The heart behind our summer campaign to help feed school children this summer
Summer is a time of joy, laughter, and carefree days for most children. But for some families, it brings a stark reality: the fear of hunger.
Every week in The Hope Centre we speak to families who are making heartbreaking choices so they can feed their kids. So many times we hear, “Don’t worry about me, just as long as my kids have what they need”. We see families where parents regularly skip meals because the fridge is bare or where kids are hungry because there just isn’t enough to go around.
During the summer these families feel under even more pressure because the kids aren’t eating a free school meal every day. In the past, our government offered an extra payment of £27 per fortnight per child to low income families during the summer weeks. This “Holiday Hunger Payment” was a lifeline to many families, but this year it has been scrapped due to budget cuts in the Department of Education. Mark Browne, senior civil servant, said it was the “hardest decision” they had to make. Our CEO, Ricky Wright responded saying, "It is disheartening to witness the cancellation of free school meals holiday payments for low-income families. No child living on the North Coast should go hungry, and Vineyard Compassion is here to provide food for any family who needs it."
Vineyard Compassion firmly believes that no child should endure hunger, especially during the school holidays. School holidays should be a time of joy and carefree days for all children. The decision to cancel free school meals holiday payments for low-income families has put vulnerable children at even greater risk.
Recognising the immense importance of ensuring that no child goes hungry during the school holidays, Vineyard Compassion has launched a hard hitting summer campaign called "No Child Hungry this Summer." This initiative aims to recognise that families are struggling to feed kids this summer and to get the word out to everyone that help is here and that no child has to go hungry this summer.
As part of the "No Child Hungry this Summer" campaign, Vineyard Compassion is raising awareness about the Causeway Food Bank, located at their Hope Centre facility. The Hope Centre's food bank plays a crucial role in providing essential assistance to families in need, ensuring that no child experiences hunger on the North Coast this summer. To extend their reach and make support more accessible to families across the community, Vineyard Compassion has established satellite food banks in partnership with other local churches in strategic locations. These satellite food banks can be found at Portstewart Baptist Church, Coleraine Elim Church - The Heights, and Terrace Row Presbyterian Church.
Vineyard Compassion recognises that tackling child hunger requires the collective effort of individuals, businesses, and the wider community. They invite everyone to join forces and contribute to this important cause. There are several ways you can get involved:
Volunteer: Consider offering your time and skills to support Vineyard Compassion's activities. Volunteering is a wonderful way to make a direct impact and lend a helping hand to those in need.
Donate Essential Food Items: You can contribute by donating essential food items to the Causeway Food Bank or one of the satellite food banks. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a significant difference in ensuring that no child goes hungry.
Financial Contributions: If you're unable to volunteer or donate food items, you can still make a meaningful impact by providing financial support. Your contributions will help sustain the vital services of Vineyard Compassion and ensure that their food banks continue to serve those in need.
Our heart’s desire is to make a positive impact on our local community to see “No Child Hungry This Summer”. We want to reach out to more families than ever offering help and hope.
For more information on how to support Vineyard Compassion's "No Child Hungry this Summer" campaign, please visit The Hope Centre or call 028 7022 0005. Let's make this summer one of compassion, love, and full bellies for all children in need.
Thank you
Miriam McAlister, Programme Manager at Vineyard Compassion