Calderdale launches Never Go Hungry campaign to 'eradicate' borough's child hunger after Marcus Rashford free school meals campaign

Calderdale communities have come together in an effort to end child hunger in the borough "for good" with a new donations and match-funding project.
Artwork for the Never Hungry Again campaign.Artwork for the Never Hungry Again campaign.
Artwork for the Never Hungry Again campaign.

In response to national calls to extend free school meals beyond term times following a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford, organisations and individuals across the country have been offering food and money to support disadvantaged children.

It comes as the Government is facing mounting public pressure at its refusal to extend free school meals into half-term and beyond.

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Now Calderdale Council, the Community Foundation for Calderdale, The Piece Hall Trust and other partner organisations throughout the borough are launching a long-term campaign, Never Hungry Again.

After the council and the Community Foundation launched the School Holiday Food Support project earlier this year to help those most affected by the pandemic, their efforts now include the start of a new fund, allowing anyone in Calderdale to make a donation to help tackle child hunger.

Until November 3, any donation to the new fund of up to £75 will be doubled and distributed to families who need extra support.

And between November 3 and December 9, donations up to £5,000 will be matched pound-for-pound.

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The Community Foundation for Calderdale will "continue to make match funding available for as long as its resources last," it says.

Steve Duncan DL, CEO of Community Foundation for Calderdale, said: “Kindness and generosity is part of Calderdale’s DNA.

"We saw it after the 2015 and 2020 floods helping to raise over £1.6m to help those affected by the flooding.

"I just know that Calderdale people will rise to the challenge again and support our struggling families in their time of need. We at the Community Foundation will double all your donations as long as feasibly possible.”

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The collective efforts aim to support children and young people and "eradicate" local food poverty – not only during the school holidays, but forever, the partners say, as part of the Vision2024 programme for Calderdale.

As well as individuals, businesses are invited to get on board with raising funds and awareness.

The campaign aims to build on Calderdale Council’s "longstanding commitment" to reducing inequalities and partnership work with other organisations to tackle food and family poverty.

Efforts have been "stepped up during the pandemic to support families who are struggling disproportionately," it says.

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Coun Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s leader, said: “Supporting people in financial hardship has always been a priority, but we know that many families in Calderdale are struggling even more due to the devastating impact of the pandemic.

“Now is the time to look forward, to tackle children’s food poverty once and for all, and to give hope and opportunity to our most vulnerable local families. We know that our kind, resilient and aspirational communities are raring to go – together, we will make a difference and achieve our Vision2024 for Calderdale.

“We are proud to launch our Never Hungry Again campaign with our partner organisations across Calderdale, to support local children and put an end to food poverty.

"None of us want to see any child in Calderdale go hungry. Through our new fund, long-term commitment and wider anti-poverty plan, we will ensure that children and young people get the good-quality, healthy food and lifeline that they need, not just during school holidays, but all year round.

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“The campaign will build on the incredible efforts of our local schools, voluntary organisations, businesses and residents to ensure children don’t go hungry this half-term and beyond.”

The Piece Hall has been working with local businesses to offer free food and drinks to children who rely on free school meals at its Blondins restaurant during the October half term.

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “As a prominent organisation in Calderdale and Yorkshire, and one that welcomes families and children on a daily basis, we felt it right to do whatever we could to support this cause.

"The campaign to support young people in our community is something that is close to our hearts, and we’ll always do everything we can to help in those situations.

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“The challenges highlighted by this new initiative have been well documented in recent weeks and The Piece Hall Trust is delighted to have been able to act quickly to help out.

"We have seen an overwhelming outpouring of support from all-quarters to date and this goodwill from the people and businesses of Calderdale is one of the factors that make the borough such a fantastic place.”

Zoë Hayes, a Young Advisor from the Calderdale Safeguarding Children Partnership, added: “As a member of the young people’s advisory board we focus on children’s safety and how to educate them on possible dangers. This campaign is a great idea for families who need the extra support.

"To help the children affected, please donate to the new fund and follow the hashtag #NeverHungryAgain.”

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The School Holiday Food Support scheme earlier this year included nearly £40,000 of grants for community organisations across the borough to provide food to struggling families, including The Halifax Academy, Focus4Hope, Calder Community Cares, Noah’s Ark Centre, Together We Grow, Cornholme Food Bank, Integrated4Solutions, Luddendenfoot Community Association and Elland & District Food Bank and Support Drop-In.

To donate to the new fund, visit https://localgiving.org/charity/cffc/project/neverhungryagain/