North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has urged people and business in the region to back efforts to support 8,500 families facing food insecurity this Christmas.
The Mayor made the call at an audience with business leaders at an event held by charity Feeding Families and the North East Chamber of Commerce just a week before she holds the region’s first Child Poverty Summit.
Feeding Families, based in the North East, offers support, hope and a safety net to people living with food insecurity. Working closely with sister agencies, the charity ensures thousands of families in desperate need have access to food boxes and support packages.
Feeding Families has received requests to support over 8,500 families and individuals in need. In response, it is launching a Festive Campaign to raise £213,700.
The call from the Mayor comes ahead of the region’s first Child Poverty Summit, which will bring together the private, public and voluntary sectors next week around a plan to tackle child poverty and inform the work of the Combined Authority’s Child Poverty Reduction Unit.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “Our mission to end child poverty starts at the grassroots, and the first step we need to take is to stop families from sinking into further hardship.
“Feeding Families demonstrates the compassionate, pragmatic and creative thinking we need to help more families. By partnering with community organisations like Feeding Families we can help families in the here and now, and make sure they find the support they need to get back on their feet and thrive.
“Working with North East businesses of all sizes sends a clear message that our region takes its responsibility to tackle poverty seriously. Our first Poverty Summit and the launch of the Child Poverty Reduction Unit represent real actions to make the North East the home of real opportunity for everyone in our communities.”
Juliet Sanders, Chief Executive of Feeding Families said: "We are very grateful to the Mayor for her support with this campaign. We have a mountain to climb this Christmas, but know the North East business community will rally together to support the local community. Even the smallest of gestures can make a big difference."
John McCabe, chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are really proud to support our member Feeding Families. The North East has some of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK and we are working with the region’s businesses, charities and local authorities to support and raise awareness for those who need it most.
"Our Stronger, Fairer North East strategy for change includes a strong focus on people and work, and creating happier, healthier and more resilient communities. Collaborative and creative working is key to enabling sustainable change and ensuring that everyone in the region can reach their potential."
Further details about the Feeding Families Christmas appeal can be found here: https://feedingfamilies.org.uk/tosupport/