Help Stop Holiday Hunger

We are urgently appealing to the community to support a new giving drive, #STOPHOLIDAYHUNGER, to meet the anticipated surge in demand for food assistance during the upcoming February school half term holiday.

The campaign aims to prevent the 2,247 North Hertfordshire children who rely on Free School Meals (FSM) during term time from going hungry when school closes for a week in a couple of weeks. 

The need has become critical following the announcement that Hertfordshire County Council no longer has the funds to provide the £15 supermarket voucher that previously covered lunches for FSM children during half term holiday breaks. This withdrawal of a vital safety net leaves children in Letchworth, Baldock and Hitchin vulnerable to “holiday hunger”—a reality that impacts a child’s health, wellbeing, and ability to thrive. 

“For many families, the Free School Meal is the most reliable meal of the day,” said Charlie Hayter, Letchworth Foodbank Director. “When that support disappears during the school break, a critical gap is left. Families simply cannot absorb the cost of an extra five days of nutritious meals and requests for support from our service grow significantly.  As I look at our warehouse, and our usual donation levels, I am gravely concerned we will not be able to provide the necessary support to stop our community’s children from going hungry. “

The Foodbank’s capacity is already under severe strain. At Christmas, we received approximately 4 tonnes of food donations, yet was required to distribute 6 tonnes to meet the needs of the community. With the withdrawal of the council’s voucher for February, and less focus on charitable giving away from the festive period, there is serious concern that the shortfall will be even greater this holiday.

We are not alone in our mission to prevent holiday hunger. Local organisations across Letchworth, including Best Before Café and St Paul’s Church are stepping in to help children have access to food over the holidays. Yet, there is so much more to do. 

To fully meet the need we need to raise £33,705 from financial and food donations—enough to provide £15 worth of food support to every eligible child in Letchworth, Baldock and Hitchin for the one-week February half term. A one-time donation of just £15 could help us provide nutritious meals for a child in our community. Your donation ensures that no child goes hungry. 

“When a child’s basic needs, including consistent, nutritious food, are not met, their ability to concentrate and learn when they return to the classroom is severely compromised,” commented Tim Spencer, Headteacher at Fearnhill School in Letchworth. “Half term is a break in which our students prepare for a busy term ahead. The energy and peace of mind that a full week of lunches provides is important to ensure our students can succeed and thrive. We urge everyone who can to give to the Letchworth Foodbank, and help pupils across Letchworth, Baldock and Hitchin to be able to use the break to re-charge, and return ready to learn.”

Act Now: Give £15 to Help Stop Holiday Hunger

Donating is quick, easy, and vital. Please choose the way that works best for you:

Online:

• Visit Letchworth Foodbank’s People’s Fundraising page. Pop STOP HOLIDAY HUNGER as your reference. 

In-Person:

• You can donate cash/cheques (made payable to Letchworth Foodbank) at our Welcome Centres.
• Food donations can be made at our supermarket donation points, or at our warehouse (Tues & Fri – 9 – 12noon, Unit 13, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1JF).

By Post:

• You can send donations to Unit 13, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1JF. Please make cheques payable to Letchworth Foodbank. 

Donations will support our food giving over school holidays and our on-going work to tackle food poverty in our area. All donations to this appeal are unrestricted gifts to Letchworth Foodbank, ensuring we can react quickly to poverty in our community wherever the need is most urgent.

Welcome Centre Locations and Opening Times  

Supermarket Donation Points 

Download a poster to share with your community to #STOPHOLIDAYHUNGER

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