Childhood Food Poverty in Camden
Over the last few days the Camden Giving team have been reminded yet again why we love this place so much as we’ve been touched by businesses and individuals getting in touch to make sure that no child in Camden goes hungry this half term.
Spurred on by Marcus Rashford, people are alive to the injustice of children and families struggling outside of term time and we’re incredibly proud of our friends at Camden Council who have committed that no family who needs meal vouchers will go without them this half term. The Council’s response is thorough and will bring a sigh of relief to families across and Camden.
Camden’s Charities…
are busier than ever this week. Childhood food poverty is not new to Camden, but it undoubtably getting worse. As we entered the pandemic, childhood poverty in the borough was at 39%, it’s risen to 43% and charities in Camden have been providing food to those who need it throughout the pandemic. Different charities do this in different ways, responding to the diverse and complicated needs that people in the borough have. Thanks to donations we’ve received from individuals and businesses, we’re already funding a wide range of emergency food support, like Urban Community Projects. Alongside the work of Camden Council, Camden’s charities will make sure people have support this week.
Food Poverty is a Symptom of Inequality…
and we’re pleased to have this opportunity to highlight that poverty is deeply rooted in injustices. Before the pandemic Black and Minority Ethnic families were 20% more likely to be in poverty than White British families. People from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds are most likely to be working in sectors that have been badly hit by covid, meaning a further rise in poverty amongst communities who are already struggling. But being in work does not necessarily mean you and your family are shielded from poverty, again people from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds are more likely to be in low paid work and experience the food poverty that goes along with this.
People with disabilities and lone parents are also far more likely to experience food poverty. Food poverty is an additional complexity faced by people who are already experiencing inequality and oppression.
Food Poverty is Fixable…
but in the longterm it has to be fixed by overcoming the deep rooted inequality that causes it. We’re really glad that the donations we receive have helped pay for food banks and parcels this half term and we’ll continue to make sure that charities in Camden have flexible funding that allows them to do work like this, but we’ll also make sure that we’re funding charities to address root causes of inequalities that manifest in children going hungry, this is why we set-up the Camden Giving Equality Fund, which like all our funds will be led by people who are experiencing inequality in Camden.
Want to help?
If that sounds like something you’d like to get involved in, here’s how:
You can lend you skills and time to a charity in Camden fighting for equality, email kamahl@camdengiving.org.uk. because charities need support beyond this week to make sure they can provide high quality support to people who need it.
Tell someone else about the root causes of childhood poverty so that we can all understand this issue better.
If you’d like to donate to our work to overcome local inequality, then you can do so here.
Need some help?
There’s information about Camden Council’s brilliant response here.
There are a number of places providing free meals this week, please get in touch and we’ll help link you up.