Donate to the York Hungry Minds appeal
Healthy, free school meals enable all children to have the same opportunities to learn and thrive, no matter the circumstances where they grow up. Evidence links free meals at school to improved educational attainment and a host of social, financial and health benefits into adulthood.
The current eligibility criteria for free school meals excludes many children whose families are experiencing financial hardship. Recent calculations by the Child Poverty Action Group indicate that two in five, or 40%, of children living in households below the poverty line remain ineligible for free school meals
While York is often perceived to be an affluent city, some of its neighbourhoods fall within the 20% most deprived in the UK. With serious cost of living pressures affecting many households, far too many children are arriving at school hungry.
That is why partners across the city are supporting an appeal to raise the funds to provide universal free school meals for all children in York’s primary schools.
“Universal school meal provision could decrease pressure on struggling families as well as having numerous positive impacts on children’s health and on narrowing the educational attainment gap. It could lead to savings in healthcare and productivity costs and help create a more equal and cohesive society.” (Nesta, June 2022)
Pilot phase
During a 12-month pilot phase beginning in January 2024, York Hungry Minds aims to provide free school meals to all pupils at Westfield Primary School in Acomb. This will also include a research study into the positive impacts of receiving a free school meal for the children involved.
As further funding is secured, provision will be extended to include other schools in the city, starting with those with the greatest numbers of children experiencing financial hardship.
How to donate:
The York Hungry Minds appeal has been set up to give people an opportunity to donate whatever they can afford to enable all primary school children in the city to access a free school meal.
We accept any donations to the fund.
All money donated to the fund will be distributed.
To donate up to £500, click on the pink ‘Donate’ button on this page.
To donate larger sums, you may want to send a cheque or pay directly into the fund without administrative fees. Please call Celia on 07519 485103 or email her directly on [email protected] to arrange your giving.
If you wish to donate via cheque to York Hungry Minds Appeal please make cheques payable to Two Ridings Community Foundation and write on the back ‘York Hungry Minds Appeal.’
If you are a UK tax payer donating by cheque, please fill out our Gift Aid form. This means that we increase the value of your donation by 25%, at no extra cost to you.
Send cheques to:
Two Ridings Community Foundation
Pavilion 2000
Amy Johnson Way
York
YO30 4XT
