At Rice Lane City Farm in Liverpool, we have noticed the problem of children – and parents – not getting enough to eat (Teachers reveal scale of pupils’ hunger as 100,000 frozen out of free school meals, 10 November). During school holidays this is worse. So for several years a school holiday “fun and food” programme has run every day, with volunteers cooking lunches. In two years the average number of children coming has increased from 20 to 50 a day.
During the October half term, parents were also given lunch and a food parcel for an evening meal and breakfast the next day. There is as well a free food table where donations are available. Keeping this going depends on funds to buy food and volunteers to prepare meals and provide constructive activities for children. Volunteer trustees are barely able to cope.
Lewis Lesley
Chair of trustees, Rice Lane City Farm
