23/09/2026
We have said for years that many working families are struggling to make ends meet for their children. However, recent figures from NHS Merseyside and Cheshire. State that 67% of children living in poverty are from working families. This is such a sad indictment of our society and figures that we find shocking. When a working wage is not enough for families to live.
We believe that ALL children have a right to thrive and not simply survive.
As well as gifting food to the families we support. We also endeavour to supply personal hygiene products and especially soap powder. I will share an example of why something as simply as being able to wash your clothes matters so much. We are not into poverty p**n here but there are times when we need our supporters to understand why we bang on about certain things at times. As this event happened many years ago (but is still relevant today) , we feel we are able to share this with you.
Hold on to your hats folks and some may want a tissue on standby. This is a true experience .
One year we were gifted 400 giant boxes of 120 wash soap powder. Whilst the room smelt divine, I worried how my poor volunteers would manage to get them out to the families. ~At that time we used to deliver the food , toys etc ourselves. It was just another thing for us to have to take out.
When the schools went back after Christmas. I received a call from a teacher at a local school. She seemed very emotional and recounted what had just happened during circle time on their first day back. There was a child at the table who she had taken a hamper, toys etc to. Including a big box of Lego which we always bang on about too. She fully expected him to mention this when they went round the table "saying what did you get for Christmas".
However as they went round. One saying "I got a bike" another saying "I got a dolls house", another saying "I got a play station". It came to the child who received the Lego etc and she fully expected him to say "Miss I got a huge box of Lego and made this". The teacher was heartbroken when he replied "Miss I got the biggest box of soap powder I have ever seen. Now I don't smell any more"
Just let that sink in .
This child knew that he was the smelly kid in the class.
On our watch.
If we look back on our own school days. I am certain that many of you will be able to recall that kid in your own school class. I know I can because there was a time in the days when my Mum was on her own that it was me in my class. I was that kid who nobody played with or talked to. Who was so aware of the pungent aroma of myself that I walked around the perimiter of the playground by myself . To avoid some of the bullying I endured in the playground.
I grew up in post war Liverpool where everyone in my community was poor. The front doors were always open. Ready to lend a cup of sugar or whatever to the neighbour who needed it. Our community these days, is a completely different kettle of fish.
What was the norm in the 60s in terms of poverty should not be the norm now. However, how is a struggling Mum supposed to afford the exorbitant prices we see increase week by week. How can working families not earn enough to be financially stable. For Mums to go without to feed her kids. A bit far fetched some may think but ABSOLUTELY True. It breaks our hearts.
If this has touched your heart in any way. Please if you are able do consider donating, laundry powder or liquid, washing up liquid, toothpaste and brushes (Dental health is at an all time low) Don't even get me started on that nugget. Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. We need at least 200 of everything up to now. Donations for this should either come directly to us at 165 Seaforth Rd L21 4LB Mon to Thurs 10 till 2. Alternatively our other main drop off for the pantry is at Kangaroo storage, Derby Rd, Bootle L20 1BP. You cannot miss it there is a life size Kangaroo on the building. The reception there will let us know as and when donations arrive.
Schools please do begin gathering up your families in need of the hampers. This is for ALL families in need and not just for those who already receive support via free school meals.. They only make up 37% of children in food poverty. The vast majority of children in food poverty are from hard working families. Let that sink in.
