Most challenging summer yet – Meals & More

The holiday hunger charity started by Brakes is reporting the most challenging summer since it launched in 2015 due to the cost-0f-living crisis.

Meals & More says big increases in the cost of food and basic goods – as well as energy bills – means more families than ever are struggling than ever for basics.

As well as offering food support, Meals & More is piloting a new programme called The Big Day Out, which is support families that are having to cancel summer holiday plans due to rising costs.

The Big Day Out is aimed at giving children at least one special memory over the summer by offering events events as diverse as Go Ape, a day at the seaside or Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Making summer days extra special are some free Wall’s Ice Creams provided by Meals & More Supporter, Unilever.

As well as The Big Day Out, Meals & More is helping to provide more than 200,000 meals to vulnerable families this summer.

“While the pandemic was challenging, we’ve reached an entirely new level with families really suffering with the unexpected rise in household costs and food,” said Meals & More’s Chair of Trustees, Kate Woodhouse.

“We had hoped that the increased government support would help address the issue of holiday hunger, but unfortunately, we are seeing more and more children and their families being dragged into poverty.

“We’ve added six new delivery partners this year as we seek to increase our work, but we can only continue to grow with the support of companies like Brakes, Unilever, Innis & Gunn, Kellogg’s and Quorn Professionals.

Brakes recently committed a further £500,000 to the charity to continue it support of the cause that was instigated by the foodservice wholesaler seven years ago.

“It’s heartbreaking to see so much need in the country and we are delighted to be helping Meals & More as it provides support to address some of the issues that are impacting young people and families today,” Sysco GB’s HR Director, Margaret Gooch, explains.

“Sysco’s mission is ‘connecting the world to share food and care for one another’ and Meals & More is a fundamental part of that.”

Brakes cost of living crisis holiday hunger Meals & More Sysco