End of furlough scheme has left children going hungry, Sunderland youth says at it provides hundreds of half term meals

Amelia, Isabelle, Blake, Molly, and Nathan taking part in the holiday activity program at The Box Youth Project during half term.

The Box Youth Project, based on Hall Farm Road, offers a variety of services to help support children and their families, including giving out food donations to those who need them.

The project has seen an increase in the amount of people needing food donations over the past two months, which staff believe coincides with the furlough scheme coming to an end.

Denise Barna is the manager of the project, she has told the Echo that they are seeing an increase in the amount of people who have lost their jobs needing help.

The youth project has been running activities for children throughout the half-term week. Luke with one of the packed lunches.

She said: “We receive a donation from FareShare every Monday morning at around 9am and recently, by 10am it has all gone.

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“Back in March, at the start of lockdown, it was slow going but it has just rocketed over the last two months.

“I think with the furlough scheme coming to an end, people have been losing their jobs and they are now needing our support.

"Some have been embarrassed to come along for help as they’ve never needed it before but we offer a non-judgemental service and everyone is welcome.”

As well as offering food donations for families, the youth project has been running services for children throughout the half term week – including Halloween themed activities and offering free school meals.

Denise has said that it has been a huge community effort and is glad to see everyone coming together to help out.

She added: “So far we’ve had around 140 children come to us this week, aged from five to 16, to take part in our activities.

"We’ve ensured that every single one of them has been fed and for those who have been coming to collect free school meals, we’ve also provided adult meals so no one has gone hungry.”

The charity posted on Facebook to announce it would offer the free meals and said that the amount of food donated on the Monday morning was ‘incredible’.

Denise said: “Morrisons have donated 30 packed lunches a day and Aldi gave us £80 to spend on food, the effort from residents and businesses has been incredible.”

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