Families are skipping meals to make ends meet during the school holidays, a charity has warned. FareShare Sussex & Surrey says some parents are facing extra food costs as children cannot access free school meals over the summer break. Dan Slatter, chief executive of the charity, told the BBC there was a "mountain of need" and that there is a growing number of people facing food insecurity or even more extreme hunger.
The government funds local authorities across England to run holiday activities and food camps, known as Club4 in Surrey. These camps are available only to children who receive benefit-related free school meals, according to Surrey County Council. Steve, a senior warehouse manager at FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said he used a food bank when he was homeless with his daughter 11 years ago. "All the benefits I was getting were going on fuel to get my daughter to and from school every day," he told the BBC. "We were struggling. I didn't want to ask for help, but it got to the point where we weren't eating." Steve added that people should not be afraid to ask for support, noting, "Help is there".
The BBC’s reporting has drawn attention to rising malnutrition concerns in the South East, with hospitals reporting an increase in admissions related to malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies. FareShare, which also works to reduce waste by saving surplus food, is appealing for financial donations as it marks a milestone year. Slatter estimates that for the six-week holiday period, additional food costs for parents could be about £200 per child. He said, "If you are able to give a pound, we’re able to turn that into four meals."
