Despite Australia’s reputation as the ‘lucky country’, hunger is a reality for 15% of Australians. And research has found that more than a quarter of those seeking food relief are children.

Eating enough food is crucial for healthy growth and development, particularly amongst children. If a child doesn’t have enough food, or enough healthy food, it’s common to notice changes in their behaviour, and in their emotional and physical wellbeing.

Sadly, one in three parents living in food insecure households say their children do not have enough to eat at least once a month because they can’t afford to buy enough food. One in five parents living in food insecure households say at least once a week their child goes a whole day without eating any fresh food. And devastatingly, almost one in ten of these parents say at least once a week their children can even go a whole day without eating at all.

Along with leaning on family and friends for support and assistance, more than half of the parents living in food insecure households seek food assistance from a charity. Food assistance is good for the whole family. As well as helping parents to feel less stressed, it helps to creates positive social relationships by encouraging more connectedness and feelings of being supported by the community. Food assistance also significantly benefits children living in food insecure households. Not only do children feel less hungry, but they’re happier, have more energy, and their behaviour improves; as does their concentration, and learning ability.

Read all the statistics from Foodbank’s 2018 Rumbling Tummies report.

We’re passionate and committed about doing our part to provide for children who live in food insecure households. We do this by providing over 50,000 breakfasts and 1,500 lunches in over 350 schools in South Australia. We rely on the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers, and any assistance is welcomed – whether it be volunteering at one of our school breakfast programs or our school holiday Camp KickStart programs; or by donating food items like bread, eggs, milk, pantry items, fruit, etc. Every little bit helps to ensure children in our community are fed, looked after, and are given the best start in life possible.

To make a donation, please visit https://kickstartforkids.com.au/donate, or call Ian Steel on 0400 005 880.