Social mobility charity, the Mayor’s Fund for London, is delighted to announce continued support from Soho House & Co in tackling child food poverty in the capital. With school gates closed until September, 700,000 young people in London, and over 3 million nationwide, will face social isolation and hunger during the holidays (Source: Sustain – Beyond the Food Bank).
In August, all seven House’s in London and the classic Italian restaurant Cecconi’s, Mayfair, will be raising funds for the charity’s Kitchen Social holiday provision programme through a discretionary donation mechanic.
Kitchen Social is a feature of the Mayor of London’s Food Strategy. It is a response to a wider national campaign tackling food insecurity in the school holidays. By the end of the 2017/18 academic year, the programme will have engaged 123 hubs across 24 boroughs and, on average, served 17,400 meals to 2,780 children and young people. Youth clubs, schools, churches, adventure playgrounds, and community centres across London are amongst those providing free meals and activities for the capital’s hungry school children.
Proceeds from the Soho House discretionary donations will not only help to raise funds to provide healthy meals, but also life learning skills, including healthy eating and cooking, as well as a wide range of activities, from five-a-side football to arts & crafts and drama workshops.
Chefs from The Ned, Shoreditch House, 76 Dean Street, 40 Greek Street, Cecconi’s Mayfair, Electric House, High Road House, and newly opened White City House will be rolling up their sleeves to lend a helping hand to Kitchen Social hub cooks, youth workers and volunteers. Whilst the children will also be able to sample a healthy eating tasting session with a range of cold pressed juices, fruit, vegetables and freshly baked breads from each of the London Houses and Cecconi’s.
“With no free school meals or teacher support during the holidays, hunger and social isolation are a reality for many young Londoners. Teachers report malnourished children returning to school with reduced cognitive powers, inability to concentrate and integrate. In many cases, their BMI is increased due to inactivity and high fat/sugar diet.” Kim Chaplain, Director, Charitable Portfolio, Mayor’s Fund for London said. “We are delighted that Kitchen Social has been adopted by Soho House and look forward to developing a long-term partnership with the Group to achieve our 2020 vision in delivering Kitchen Social across all x33 London boroughs and in calling for statutory change not just in London but nationwide’
Tom Collins, UK Director, Soho House & Co, said: “London is a vibrant, multi-cultural city and one of the world’s leading gastronomic capitals; and yet over half a million children face the prospect of hunger whilst the school gates are closed. Each Soho House is supportive of its local neighbourhood and community, and we’re glad we can play a small part in alleviating child food poverty during the holidays.”
To date, Soho House & Co has raised over £16,500 for Kitchen Social by means of a discretionary donation scheme.