National charity launches heartfelt Christmas film and fundraising campaign to feed children going hungry this winter

With statistics showing that on average 63% of children living in poverty in the UK regularly go hungry, national children’s charity Meals & More has launched a powerful film and fundraising campaign to highlight the growing number of children facing empty cupboards and hunger during the Christmas holidays.

The charity, which was founded by Brakes, a Sysco company, recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary and continues to lobby for government support to tackle holiday hunger. The latest initiative will see fundraising take place in Sysco depots across the country as it seeks to support families at one of the most difficult times of the year for parents living in poverty.

Running from 2nd–9th December, the Meals & Joy campaign is part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s biggest match-funding campaign. During this week, every donation made through the Meals & More Big Give page will be doubled, which means that one donation of £1.35, which would usually provide one meal, will bring double the meals and double the joy for families who need it most. The target for the campaign is £37,500 which will be matched by the Big Give campaign to a total of £75,000.  £7,500 – will help purchase winter gloves for many of the children supported by the charity and £67,500 – will go directly to 60 delivery partners to fund food and activities at 400 clubs. Enough to support the provision of 50,000 meals.

Kerri Frost, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Meals & More, said:

“No child should face Christmas hungry or cold. The reality is that more families than ever are struggling when free school meals stop for the holidays. Through Meals & Joy, every pound given will go twice as far — filling plates, lifting spirits, and reminding children that they are not forgotten.”

Funds raised will ensure thousands of children across the UK receive healthy meals, warm winter gloves, and access to holiday clubs that provide food, enrichment, and a sense of belonging during school breaks.

The Meals & Joy campaign features a short film which opens with a mum anxious and cold, struggle evident as she wraps chocolate coins, worried that Christmas may pass them by. Hope arrives when she spots a flyer for a local holiday club — supported by Meals & More — where healthy meals, warmth, and festive fun bring the magic of Christmas to life once again.