THE project manager of the Tyne Valley’s most-used food bank has backed Marcus Rashford’s campaign for free school meals.
Sam Gilchrist of the West Northumberland Foodbank explained that the organisation has been battling holiday hunger for years - and the coronavirus pandemic has only amplified the problem.
This half term, the foodbank has provided families with school-age children three days of packed lunches for every child, thanks to Top Nosh in Hexham.
They will also receive a £15 food voucher for every child, a parcel of frozen foods, and a freshly made pizza from Fire and Dough pizza van.
She said: “We’ve been fighting holiday hunger for seven years. I’m so thankful Marcus Rashford has brought this issue to the attention of a whole country.
“No child should go hungry in the middle of a pandemic. Families are starting to worry about heating bills and Christmas.
“This is actually the very worst time possible to even consider pushing children further into poverty. Children have a fundamental human right to a good start in life.”
The foodbank’s new helpline, on 01434 700068, is available from Monday to Friday 10am-2pm.
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