The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Campaigner is bowled over by cereal donation
CHARITY: Forfar store hands over 300 boxes to boost appeal to ensure children don’t go without breakfast in the holidays
A campaign is under way to ensure no child goes without breakfast in Dundee and Angus during the summer holidays.
Forfar mum Claire Meenan successfully organised the 150 Boxes of Cereal for Summer Facebook appeal last year.
Claire was inspired by the Dundee Bairns Holiday Hunger programme and the Facebook appeal gathered 433 boxes of cereal for Dundee Foodbank.
The page did a smaller appeal at Christmas and 50 boxes each were collected for both the Dundee and Angus foodbanks.
Claire’s bid to get 150 cereal boxes for both Dundee and Angus this summer has already hit its target and she is now hopeful of beating last year’s total.
The Costcutter store in Forfar donated all 300 boxes yesterday and Claire said the donation was “absolutely amazing” and “above and beyond what I had expected”.
She said: “I contacted the store on the off-chance that they might match what I bought and was overwhelmed by the response.
“To receive all 300 boxes was so unexpected so now anything else we receive is a bonus.
“Every donation is very much appreciated and everyone’s kindness has been incredible.
“The appeal has really taken off and lots of people have very kindly offered to be a collection point.
“I am keen to make sure there’s enough cereal to also distribute to individual families who need it in the summertime.
“How many of us notice how much our food bill rockets in the holidays with all the extra food we need?
“It’s hard to believe we do have children locally who will be hungry.
“We take it for granted that people have what they need and that’s not the case for a lot of families.
“Both the Angus Foodbank and the Dundee Foodbank are fully behind the appeal and I keep in regular touch with them both.”
Claire said the appeal is so important because breakfast is the most important meal of the day and kick-starts the body’s metabolism. She said the appeal will close on June 24.
Anyone who wishes to help with the appeal or donate can go to Facebook and search ‘150 Boxes of Cereal for Summer’.