100+ schools on food waiting list

Thousands of children are going hungry each day as the country’s largest charitable school programme struggles with demand, The Dominion Post reports.

KidsCan, which last year distributed 1.6 million food items to decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools, has 105 schools on its waiting list.

Chief executive Julie Helson said for some children the donated food was all they ate all day and demand had always outstripped supply in the six years KidsCan had operated.

However, this year about 11,000 children a day would miss out on food. This year, KidsCan will feed about 4400 children each day.

Helson said the increase in the cost of living and the cancellation of a Red Cross breakfast programme added to demand.

“There are a lot of judgmental people in New Zealand who have this perception that people on low incomes are all down the pub or putting their money in gaming machines ... the majority of parents we see actually do want the best for their children and they are very, very embarrassed when they can’t provide for them.”

Such poverty was the country’s “hidden shame”. “I don’t think people realise just how big the issue is in New Zealand and where poverty exists in pockets ... it’s very easy to ignore.”
Auckland and Northland were the areas most in need.

The programme, which exists in a quarter of all decile-one to four primary and intermediate schools, was a “crucial part” of schools. Food included bread, spreads, baked beans, muesli bars, fruit pottles and raisins.

“Schools report to us they have children who haven’t eaten for 24 hours,” Helson said.

The programme will also distribute about 20,000 raincoats, 9000 pairs of shoes and 18,000 pairs of socks this year.

KidsCan had the systems to fund the schools on the waiting list, “the only thing that’s missing is the dollars to be able to do it”.

Helson said a lack of food and clothing meant kids got sick more easily, were less engaged in class, often could not participate in activities because they had no shoes and stole food to eat.