The Community Foundation for Ireland supported The Children’s Rights Alliance in establishing a food provision scheme for children under the age of 6 experiencing poverty and disadvantage during Covid-19. The aim of the project is to support young children who are not already benefiting from sufficient direct food provision through another organisation or programme, or where their current provider is struggling to address their needs, 7 days a week for 4 weeks. They were awarded €50k in funding from Bank of Ireland through The Community Foundation for Ireland and a further 58k from the Infant Development Fund (a joint fund of the Community Foundation for Ireland and the Katharine Howard Foundation).
There are over 100,000 children experiencing food poverty in Ireland currently and recent research from the ESRI suggests that child income poverty rates could rise as high as 22 per cent, a one-third increase relative to the start of 2020. In Ireland, the provision of school meals happens in certain schools, support programmes and early years’ services targeting disadvantaged children. All of which had been closed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As well as this, there has been financial pressure and job losses within families resulting from Covid-19 that has the potential to have a hugely damaging effect on young children.
Children who are hungry will find it more difficult to learn and will be more likely to disengage from school. In these crucial early years, it’s vital that children don’t fall behind as this will affect their psychological development and wellbeing. This initiative will help children who find themselves in this situation. Applications received sought to support 3,244 children under 6 years and their families. The fund received 41 applications from organisations with the total amount of funding requested far exceeding what was available.
Tanya Ward, CEO of Children’s Rights Alliance commented: “Through well-connected and dedicated community and voluntary organisations, this scheme is addressing a real need. However, a national approach to dealing with food poverty and hunger is absolutely vital going forward. Families need a sufficient minimum income to meet their children’s nutritional needs. Direct food provision such as school meals is also critical for children’s survival and development.”
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