CHILDREN across the borough are being encouraged to write a short poem about what hunger means to them.
It is for a national competition by foodbank charity, the Trussell Trust, following data that revealed 2,393 food parcels were given to borough children over the last year.
That is almost double than April 2019 to March 2020.
Youngsters aged nine and under can create and draw a hungry character and tell its story with a poem as part of its Bye Bye Hunger competition.
The top 20 entries will be published in a poetry book and the winner will have their character brought to life in the Trussell Trust campaign to end the need for food banks.
It is hoped that the poems will help to reduce the stigma surrounding people using food banks.
Between April 202 and March 2021, 5,500 food parcels were given to residents in the borough, more than double the year before. Adults received 3,107 of those.
The competition was inspired by a mother who sent a poem to the Trussell Trust earlier this year about how she was judged for needing a food bank to feed her child.
The charity turned the poem into a short film, which was backed by musician Liam Payne, comedian Dawn French and Simon King from The Hairy Bikers.
The poem explores whether the fifth richest country in the world should need food banks to feed children.
It includes the line: “I needed free food because I didn’t have enough money, I didn’t have enough food in my child’s tummy”.
Comedian Dom Joly, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell have been chosen to select the winning entries.
Mr Joly said: “The Bye Bye Hunger poetry competition is a brilliant opportunity for us adults to learn from the far wiser and brighter minds of kids aged nine and under.
“They see things we don’t and I’m really looking forward to seeing their creativity in action – and the hunger-free future they draw for us.”
Former EastEnders star, Ms Outhwaite, said: “The mother’s poem was just so heart-breaking.
“We must stop and reflect on this and create a hunger-free future.”
She said it would be a wonderful way for children to use their imagination.
The deadline for entries is this Sunday.
For more information, visit: www.trusselltrust.org/poems
