London-based charity Feed London is launching its annual Christmas campaign to raise essential funds to support children from low-income families over the school holidays.
With this initiative, the charity aims to raise £18,600 to bridge the gap left from free school meals during term time, by providing fresh, balanced, nutritious meals to 300 families, who might already face severe challenges.
The Christmas holidays can be challenging for families in need as family budgets are stretched to breaking, with many children losing access to regular, nutritious meals. In response, Feed London aims to provide over 7,000 daily meals to London children, ensuring
they are nourished, supported, and able to enjoy the holidays with a full stomach.
All donations will go towards Feed London’s nutritional food boxes that are filled with fresh, healthy ingredients, simple recipes, creative activities from local suppliers and a £50 supermarket voucher to stretch support by keeping the fridge filled.
Food insecurity can have a profound impact on children that goes way beyond simple hunger. Poverty and poor diets are inextricably linked and lead to poor health outcomes such as obesity and nutrition-related chronic diseases along with a negative impact on
cognitive development and mental health, all of which can affect educational attainment.
These meals are extremely important for financially constrained families, as a reduction in work hours, paired with escalating food, housing, and travel costs to medical appointments, can push them into severe financial crisis.
James Burton, Founder of Feed London said: “With Christmas upon us, our goal is to make sure children don’t miss out on healthy meals simply because school is out.
“For families who depend on those free school meals, the holidays can be a tough time to keep food on the table.
“We hear time and again that by the middle week the fridge is empty and there’s no money left to do a shop – it’s tragic that families are having to rely on charities for support – but that’s the reality.
“Every donation helps us bring nourishing food and holiday cheer to those who need it most, turning generous contributions into real support and joy for children this season.”
The charity operates in 13 London boroughs with the highest rates of child poverty, including Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Islington and Haringey and since its launch it has delivered ingredients for over 55,000 main meals across the city.
Looking forward, Feed London is committed to expanding its reach, advocating for governmental support to crucial schemes such as the household support fund (HSF) and creating partnerships with local schools and community groups. The charity’s efforts not only
address immediate needs but aim to raise awareness of the UK’s growing child poverty problem, contributing to a national conversation on the urgent need for structural solutions
