I believe that no one should be pulled into poverty, especially children, yet last year food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network provided over half a million food parcels to children at Christmas. Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year at food banks like ours, but it should be a time of hope and joy, especially for children.
Mark and Elaine had to use a food bank last Christmas. Both work part-time and share child-care responsibilities for their two children. Elaine explains:
“With low paid work and not enough hours, it’s very hard when there are things like a school trip, or new shoes to buy the kids. We got to the point where all the bills had gone out and we were left with hardly anything.
Me and my partner skipped meals but we always made sure the kids had something to eat. The food parcel was a life saver. The people at the food bank didn’t make me feel ‘Why are you here, you’re in work, why can’t you afford it?’ I was welcomed with open arms and given so much support.”
No child should know what a food bank is, let alone use one at Christmas, yet for the 4.5 million children locked in poverty, their families are struggling to afford the basics, with the majority facing real destitution.
My Christmas Wish is that future generations of children only learn about food banks at school or in history books. As someone who sees the devastation caused by poverty on a weekly basis, I thank you for donating to the foodbank so we do not turning away from people in crisis.
Wishing you a happy Christmas,
Paul Woodward, Project Manager.