Almost 9,000 emergency food parcels distributed in Foyle in last year

The Foyle Network Foundation (FNF) provided emergency food parcels to 8,843 people here facing hardship in the past year. Of these, 3,835 went to families with children. 

The organisation, part of a network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust, has urged the North’s Department of Education to “better support children and young people in poverty”.

Speaking to The Derry News, Bethany Moore, FNF’s community campaigns co-ordinator said at the beginning of the summer, it had called on Education Minister Paul Givan to reinstate the School Holiday Food Grant, which was discontinued in 2023.

“The Minister agreed measures such as the School Holiday Food Grant was ‘not a long-term solution, and the issue of food poverty needs a broader solution from the Executive,’” said Ms Moore.

Derry food bank charity calls on Executive to reinstate School Holiday Food Grant

The grant, axed in 2023, was set up to help 93,000 pupils entitled to free school meals and their families during the school holidays

Decision to cut hunger holiday support in the current climate 'utterly senseless' claims Foyle MLA

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has criticised a lackadaisical response from the Minister Paul Givan with regards holiday hunger payment for low-income households

“However, while we wait on the Executive to deliver a funded Anti-Poverty Strategy, FNF would reiterate our call for the Education Minister to reinstate the Holiday Food Grant, with back pay for parents who went the summer months without the additional support. 

“We would also urge the Department to urgently implement the recommendations outlined in our response to its School Uniform Policy consultation, in which we expressed concern regarding the current cost of uniforms. 

“As part of our response we asked 25 members who use our services and have school-aged children, to provide their insights into the School Uniform Policy Consultation Proposals.

“We discovered, many of our members were extremely overwhelmed by the cost of school uniforms. Our findings showed: 76% of respondents supported schools having a Uniform Bank in place; and 72% felt there should be no single-supplier arrangement when purchasing uniforms, instead they wished to be able to purchase uniforms from high-street stores to save money,” said Ms Moore.

The FNF survey also found 64% of respondents felt PE kits should not be branded as it disproportionately increased the cost.

60% expressed support for implementing a Cost Cap on uniforms and more than 50% received the Uniform Grant but stated it was not enough to cover costs.

“We appreciate the Minister’s response and the Department’s work on improving School Uniform Policy,” said Ms Moore, “but we remain concerned at the progress of Anti-Poverty Measures across the Executive. 

“Children, families and young people who are facing hardship should feel dignified, respected and empowered - especially within their school community. This is not possible if they cannot afford the items they need to attend school.”