Feeding Bristol has launched its Healthy Holidays fundraising appeal to help more than 14,250 disadvantaged children over the school holidays.

Money raised will go towards providing food and activities in areas of high deprivation. The programme includes a range of activity packs, cooking classes, and cookery films to guide families in making nutritious recipes.

The effects of coronavirus on society, including high unemployment, a digital divide in lockdown, reduced childcare provision and youth clubs, and restricted contact with friends and family through the need to socially distance, has increased demand for organisations like Feeding Bristol.

Andy Street, Chair of Feeding Bristol, said:

“Over 14,000 children in Bristol are registered to receive free school meals (FSMs). Over the period of the current crisis, applications have been received by the Council that could result in several thousand more children being registered for FSMs. The need is therefore large, and growing.

“We’ve been collaborating with leaders from the play, children and youth sectors across Bristol to provide a complete Healthy Holiday to as many children in need as possible, which will reduce any long-term negative impact that the combination of COVID-19 and holiday hunger may cause.”

Here are just some of the ways the money will be spent:

• £5 can fund a cookery, growing or book pack.
• £15 can fund a creativity or sporty pack.
• £60 can fund a cookery class for two families (and they get to take the food home for dinner).
• £150 can fund the development of a new cookery film and recipe.
• £325 can fund a new outdoor activity session, where children will also be fed.

The appeal target is £20,000, as Andy Street explained:

“The overall budget for this programme is £150,000. Through a combination of reallocated funds, and support from local trusts and grant making bodies, we’ve secured a good proportion of the funds required, but we are still looking at a possible shortfall of around £20,000.”

Your donations, no matter how small, will make a real difference to young people’s lives this summer.