Harrogate's secret food poverty as charity says some families often 'do not eat for days'

An organisation committed to delivering food to the district’s most vulnerable residents says some families often ‘do not eat for days’ as they struggle to make ends meet in the face of financial hardship.
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Here are the Harrogate businesses offering free food to children this half term

Michelle Hayes, who runs the Resurrected Bites charity, is now calling for more to be done to support people living in food poverty.

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It follows the decision from MPs last week not to extend free meals for children over the school holidays, despite a campaign from Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford and growing pressure from the public.

A Harrogate charity is calling for more to be done to help struggling families.A Harrogate charity is calling for more to be done to help struggling families.
A Harrogate charity is calling for more to be done to help struggling families.

Michelle says demand across the Harrogate district has never been greater and she is hoping to team up with other resources in the region to offer crucial support.

She said: “I see a huge amount of need every week. So many people are suffering from so many different circumstances, whatever they may be, and through no fault of their own.

“Harrogate is perceived as a ‘well-off’ area, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t happening on our doorstep.

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“Especially during the pandemic, so many people have lost their jobs, not been able to get enough hours at work or not received their benefit payments - not to mention the higher bills many have received from being at home.

“There are people out there who have not eaten for days and parents who go without food so their children can eat. Someone has to make sure children are protected from food poverty and hunger.”

The group is hoping to join forces with Harrogate District Foodbank and various other organisations over Christmas to provide extra support for struggling families and identify those who are not already receiving help.

A full special report on food poverty in the Harrogate District is available in this week's Harrogate Advertiser.