Pupils backing the Mail’s Feed Our Families campaign have been shocked at the realization that hundreds of people across Burton and South Derbyshire are struggling to put food on the table.
Paulet High School in Violet Way, Stapenhill, hopes to donate hundreds of pounds worth of food items to make sure those in need are able to have a meal on the table this winter.
The campaign sees donated food items go to either the Burton YMCA or South Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), two charities that work tirelessly to support those in society that need a helping hand.
Last year more than 10,000 food items were dropped off at a number of donation points across the area – helping hundreds of people. This year it is important as ever that we offer a helping hand as food banks in Burton and South Derbyshire are being used more than ever before.
Year 8 pupils Kyon Speirs told the Mail how he felt it was a ‘good idea’ to support the campaign. He said: “I think it is a good idea and opportunity to help those less fortunate than ourselves. It’s hard to think that people are struggling to get food for their family, so by doing this we can help them – even if it’s just a tin of beans for 20p.”
This year’s campaign comes after a record year for the Burton YMCA and South Derbyshire CVS food banks, with hundreds of people coming through the doors in desperate need of just the basics such as rice, beans or potatoes.
Kyon added: “You see people waste food and it is shocking to hear how busy the food bank has been because in Burton, if you look around, you don’t really see people in need.”
William Minott who is also in year 8, added he was keen to see the campaign supported because he worried that people, in extreme cases, would have to go to hospital if they could not eat.
The school, which has around 800 pupils, will be holding a Christmas Jumper Day on Wednesday, December 14, where each pupil will be asked to donate a food item for the collection equaling the total of £1.
Headteacher Ian McArthur told the Mail that the school had a responsibility to be more than academic and highlight the real issues in the community – such as the plight of those going hungry.
He added: “I think this is a terrific way for us, as a school, to mark the start of the Christmas holiday by sparing a thought, and doing something for, those less fortunate than ourselves.”
Last year the community, including those at Paulet High School, came out in force to back the campaign and donated more than 10,000 items.