Combatting Holiday Hunger in 2023

Welcome to our campaign to provide food boxes to families during the summer holidays in Jersey! Our goal is to ensure that children have access to nutritious food throughout the summer months, when school meals are not available.
Our aim is to support vulnerable families with nursery and primary school-aged children during the 7-week summer holidays by providing weekly food boxes filled with essential lunch and breakfast items. These include cereal, milk, brown bread, fruit, sandwich fillings (ham, cheese, egg, salad), fruit, and yogurt, all sourced from local suppliers to support the local economy and promote sustainable practices.
At our core, we believe that no child should go hungry. Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that vulnerable families in our community have access to the resources they need to enable their children to thrive.

With the provision of food, we can help support the health and wellness of our children.

Did you know…

According to a 2020 report by the Food Foundation, around 1.4 million children in the UK are estimated to experience food insecurity during the summer holidays. The report also found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, this number had risen, with an estimated 2.3 million children in the UK living in households that experienced food insecurity in 2020. Additionally, research by the Trussell Trust, a UK-based charity that operates a network of food banks, found that during the summer of 2021, demand for emergency food parcels increased by 47% compared to the same period in 2019. These statistics highlight the ongoing issue of holiday hunger in the UK and the urgent need for initiatives to support children during the summer months.

Jersey is no exception and like other areas of the UK, experiences holiday hunger during school holidays. The Island is not immune to poverty, and some families struggle to make ends meet, particularly during the summer months when children are not receiving free school meals. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated the issue, with increased financial strain on families and disruptions to supply chains, leading to a greater need for support during the summer holidays.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Who is eligible?

Families who are eligible for the food box program may be referred by a variety of agencies, including social workers, other charities, schools, and Family Nursing. These agencies will identify families who may need support during the summer holidays when schools are closed and refer them to the program. We work closely with these agencies to ensure that families are receiving the support they need and that the referral process is seamless and efficient.

Our goal is to make sure that families in need have access to the program and the nutritious food their children need to thrive during the summer holidays.