Leeds Initiative Aids Schools in Combating Child Hunger

Post by : Mina Rahman

In Leeds, a community organization is stepping in to assist schools in addressing food insecurity among students by sponsoring free fruit stalls, food parcels, and cooking workshops for families in need.

The non-profit, Rethink Food, has initiated financial support for schools, enabling them to provide food assistance such as supper clubs and grocery deliveries for families under financial strain. This move arises as schools increasingly serve as crucial lifelines amid escalating living expenses.

A recent study from the University of Bristol indicates that schools are now the primary providers of food aid across England, with roughly 4,000 school-based food banks operational nationwide.

Nathan Atkinson, co-founder of Rethink Food, expressed alarm at finding that some school staff were personally funding food for needy pupils.

“Teachers and support staff were bringing in food from home or spending their own money,” he shared. “This clearly illustrates the strain on school budgets.”

Having previously served as a head teacher in Leeds, Atkinson established the organization after witnessing numerous children struggle to learn due to hunger.

“It all started in 2014 when a child simply told me they were hungry,” he recounted. “It’s unrealistic to expect a child to thrive academically if their basic needs aren’t being met.”

The organization has rolled out a Food Pantry network which provides participating schools with £100 weekly, assisting with food deliveries, cooking sessions, and support for families in need.

Morley Victoria Primary School has been a beneficiary of this initiative, leading to the establishment of a free weekly fruit stall in the playground and a supper club for families to enjoy shared meals.

Assistant head teacher Kevin Precious noted the increased financial burden on many families due to the rising cost of living.

“It’s not limited to unemployed families,” he stated. “Households with two working parents are also feeling the pinch as food prices and bills continue to soar.”

The school has also observed an uptick in requests for assistance with school trips, sports gear, and essential food needs.

Parent Anne-Marie Stobbs, mother of three students at the school, remarked that her grocery expenses have almost doubled in recent years.

“Food prices have risen so much that families often resort to purchasing cheaper, processed foods,” she explained. “Initiatives like this are invaluable for ensuring children receive nutritious meals.”

At the school's supper club, children are taught how to prepare simple meals, which they can bring home alongside leftover ingredients.

“These cooking classes equip children with lifelong skills,” added Mr. Precious. “Without this funding, we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver this level of support.”