1327 Fund: Magic Breakfast
As the UK's leading charity for breakfast provision, Magic Breakfast is committed to end child hunger in the morning
According to the Department of Work and Pensions, there were 4.1 million children living in poverty in the UK in 2017/18, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that this number will reach 5.2 million by 2022. As the UK’s leading charity for breakfast provision, Magic Breakfast is committed to end child hunger in the morning, a reality for a significant proportion of those living in poverty and a key barrier to educational attainment. A hungry child cannot concentrate, is more likely to be restless, unhappy, lethargic, distracted or disruptive in lessons, making them at risk of missing out on up to four hours of vital learning each morning. Each Magic Breakfast unlocks these four hours of life-changing education.
Magic Breakfast's COVID-19 Response
In the current situation related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the 1327 Fund donation means more than ever before. We are deeply concerned about the impact of school closures on the most vulnerable children, many of whom rely on school breakfast as well as lunch. Without breakfast, these children will spend the morning hungry and will struggle to benefit from remote learning, falling behind their wealthier peers. We are urgently developing a strategy to continue reaching these children during school closures. While 400 of our 480 schools remain open with a skeletal staff for children of key workers, they are not able to operate a breakfast club due to social distancing. To reach our children, we are therefore having to adapt our school-based breakfast provision to a weekly or fortnightly take-home breakfast provision. This is currently available to children either via collection from their school/the school’s alternative nominated site, or via a delivery to their door by a member of school staff or volunteer, adhering to social distancing.
On behalf of the Magic Breakfast team and Trustees I would like to thank all the Members of The Goldsmiths’ Company for your incredible support during this challenging time. Your gifts will have a life-changing impact on the future potential of disadvantaged children across the UK - providing vital ‘fuel for learning’ (Martin Reymert - Trust and Foundation Officer).