“This is making a huge difference” The charity ensuring no child goes to school hungry

Magic Breakfast works in schools across Greater Manchester, and more widely across England and Scotland.

They are an awesome charity helping young kids from underprivileged backgrounds get an amazing start to their day, with a healthy and hearty breakfast.

They want to ensure no child starts the day with an empty stomach.

Almost 20,000 children and young people are on roll at schools in Manchester that Magic Breakfast works with.

We sat down with Sherri Redrop from Magic Breakfast and Nick Winstanley, Assistant Headteacher at Grange School in Levenshulme to talk about how the charity was making a real difference.

Magic Breakfast

Nick Winstanley, the deputy Head at Grange School, talked about what an awesome help Magic Breakfast had been at the school.

Situated in Levenshulme, a community grappling with significant socioeconomic challenges, Grange School serves a diverse student body aged four to 19, many of whom have complex needs, including non-verbal communication.

“Magic Breakfast has been tremendously beneficial for our students,” Nick shares.

“Due to the diverse needs of our student body, it can be difficult to know whether they have had breakfast before coming to school.

“However, with the support of Magic Breakfast, we can ensure that all our students receive a nutritious breakfast, setting them up for a productive day of learning.”

How having breakfast helps children’s behaviour

Nick emphasises the huge impact of breakfast on academic performance and behavioural incidents.

“We’ve noticed a significant improvement, not just in academic performance, but also in behavioural incidents.

“Hunger has been a major trigger for behavioural issues among our students.

“By receiving bagels and cereal from Magic Breakfast, we’ve ensured that all our students have access to a nutritious breakfast, helping to mitigate these triggers.”

Nick attributes their success to Sherri’s guidance, highlighting her instrumental role in optimising breakfast resources.

Sherri, a passionate advocate for child welfare, shares insights into Magic Breakfast’s mission and impact.

With a focus on supporting schools in developing hunger-focused, barrier-free breakfast programs, Sherri made clear the urgent need for universal provision to address food insecurity among children.

“In Greater Manchester, we are currently providing support to 49 schools, positively impacting almost 20,000 children and young people.

“Our main focus is to ensure every child has access to the food they need to start their day right.”

Education challenges post Covid

Sherri spoke about the multifaceted challenges faced by families, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

“Many families struggle to balance work responsibilities with getting their children to school on time.

“Financial difficulties are common, and some children may have additional caregiving responsibilities at home, leaving little time for breakfast in the morning.”

Despite these challenges, Magic Breakfast remains dedicated to its mission, thanks to the support of generous donors like Heinz, Quaker, and Warburton’s.

Stephen Hart, who also works at Magic Breakfast, expressed gratitude for the invaluable contributions that enabled them to fulfil their mission.

“We are fortunate to have support from various companies who generously provide us with food donations,”

Stephen remarks. “These contributions, along with donations from individuals and other supporters, allow us to reach as many children as possible.”

Stephen emphasises the impact of gifts in kind from corporate partners, which reduce the cost per breakfast and enable Magic Breakfast to feed more children.

“Receiving gifts in kind from companies like Heinz and Warburton’s makes a significant difference in our ability to reach as many children as possible.”

How you can help Magic Breakfast

Magic Breakfast’s mission to combat child hunger and promote educational opportunities relies not only on the support of generous donors and dedicated school staff but also on the active involvement of individuals like you.

Here are several ways you can make a difference and contribute to this vital cause:

1. Donate: Your financial contributions play a crucial role in providing nutritious breakfasts to children in need. Visit Magic Breakfast’s website to make a donation and support their efforts in feeding hungry minds across Greater Manchester. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a meaningful impact on a child’s life.
3. Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to support breakfast provision in local schools. Many schools participating in Magic Breakfast programs welcome volunteers to assist with breakfast clubs, meal distribution, and educational activities. Contact your nearest school or reach out to Magic Breakfast directly to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
5. Advocate: Engage with your local councillor or Member of Parliament to advocate for the expansion of breakfast provisions in schools. By raising awareness of the importance of breakfast programs and their impact on children’s well-being and educational outcomes, you can help drive policy changes and secure additional support for Magic Breakfast and similar initiatives.
7. Spread the Word: Share Magic Breakfast’s mission and impact with your friends, family, and social networks. By raising awareness about child hunger and the work being done to address it, you can inspire others to get involved and support this worthy cause. Use social media platforms, community events, and word-of-mouth to amplify Magic Breakfast’s message and reach more people.
9. Participate in Campaigns: Stay updated on Magic Breakfast’s latest campaigns and initiatives and actively participate in their advocacy efforts. Whether it’s signing petitions, joining fundraising events, or participating in awareness campaigns, your involvement can help raise funds, mobilse support, and effect positive change for children facing food insecurity.

You can get involved and learn more about this incredible charity by clicking here