AN APPEAL has been launched to help Warrington children who are at risk of falling into holiday hunger during the summer school break, when the safety net of free school meals is removed.
Warrington Housing Association has launched a food drive – rolling out donation points across all of its sheltered housing schemes and at its LifeTime Centre at The Gateway on Sankey Street.
And is now appealing to members of the public, its staff and tenants to get behind the drive to support youngsters in the borough to have a better summer.
The association has joined forces with Warrington Foodbank, who say more than a third of its emergency food supplies are delivered to children currently, and this is set to rise as youngsters lose the ‘safety net’ of a hot school meal during the summer holiday.
David McDonald, manager of Warrington Food Bank, said: “We are delighted to have the support of Warrington Housing Association to help combat holiday hunger.
“It’s sad to know that in this prosperous town of Warrington, we still have pockets of child poverty.
“Donations that people make will make a huge difference to help our foodbank ensure that children and their families don’t go hungry this summer, when they lose the safety net of school meals.”
Alongside the food donation points set up by Warrington Housing Association – staff from the organisation have already donated a cheque for £644 to the food bank.
David Cummins, CEO of WHA, said: “We are proud to be support Warrington Foodbank as our charity of the year and will continue to appeal for donations beyond this association.
“Just dropping off one or more items to the foodbank or at our food donation points this summer can help make a real difference. Please get involved.”
Warrington Foodbank works on a referral basis with many community organisations across the borough – including Warrington Housing Association – providing food vouchers.
For more details about how to access this service please contact the Food Bank on 07583 080521.
