Thank you for supporting the distribution of 900 Kids’ Lunch Packs this summer

As the summer holidays begin, we’ve distributed over 900 Kids Lunch Packs (KLPs) across the district, including Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey. These packs help ensure that children who usually rely on free school meals won’t go hungry during the summer break. 

We run this initiative three times a year, before each of the main school holidays (Easter, summer, and Christmas), to help fight holiday hunger and support children’s wellbeing. Each pack contains 10 days’ worth of lunch provisions and store cupboard staples for children in need. The scheme currently supports around 1 in 3 children eligible for free school meals in our district. 

Running this scheme costs around £25,000 each term and relies heavily on the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of the local community. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make it possible.

This summer we’d like to thank: 

• Our amazing volunteers across the district, whose time, energy and commitment make every step of this scheme possible. 

• Seaford College in Midhurst, whose generosity funded 250 boxes, covering all the Midhurst and Petworth packs and contributing to others across the district. Their Year 12 students and staff packed 210 boxes as part of their Community Action Day and transported the Midhurst and Petworth packs to their storage locations. 

• Corporate teams from Linnworks, Lead Forensics, Contract Candles, Enable Ltd, and Fordwater School, who donated food and other essentials and packed boxes. 

• Panther Vans, for generously loaning us vehicles to help distribute the lunch packs across the district. 

• SØDT Bakery in Petworth, for supplying 200 loaves of fresh bread for Petworth lunch packs over the past academic year. 

• The Chichester Food & Drink Company who provided 250 real-fruit snacks.

• Wiley, who provide us with cardboard boxes.

• A special mention goes to The Catholic Church of St. Mary and St. Francis in Midhurst, who have supported us for years by storing our Kids Lunch Packs. This will be their final year doing so, and we’re incredibly grateful for their long-standing help. 

Why this scheme matters 

Recent research into food poverty released by the government this month found that in 2023/24, around 11 % of the UK population (7.5 million people) experienced food insecurity, affecting a staggering 18 % of children  

Our Kids Lunch Packs programme helps ensure that families struggling to provide enough food during the school holidays don’t go hungry. We’re pleased to play our part in tackling holiday hunger, but we know that real, lasting change comes from addressing the root causes of poverty and food insecurity. That’s why we also offer wider support to help families move forward and break the cycle that brought them to us in the first place. 

This is an example of some of the feedback we’ve had this summer: 

“I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to all your team for their hard work. I am a solo parent to four children, and to know that my cupboards are stocked, ready for their hungry tummies over the summer holidays is such a relief. 

Almost everything you can see in this picture has been donated in the lunch pack boxes for my children, plus UHT milk and cereal.   I do hope that soon I won’t need these top ups; but for now, I am so grateful. 

I was nervous the first time I went to collect, but I was made to feel welcome, accepted and treated kindly and warmly by the whole team.  Thank you for the difference you are making in the community.”  

Thank you for your continued support 

To everyone who donates food, money or time – thank you. Your generosity helps us continue to provide families with support over the holidays.   

However, packing nearly 900 lunch packs has greatly reduced our stock, which is now at its lowest in five years. If you can help, please consider donating food or funds. 

 Find out more: www.chichesterdistrict.foodbank.org.uk/give-help 

 Every tin, treat, and pound makes a real difference, so thank you for your support. 

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