Home Stories Helping families manage the cost of Christmas through our FOOD Clubs

Helping families manage the cost of Christmas through our FOOD Clubs

11 November 2024
Children & Families Food & Financial Hardship
Story

Our FOOD clubs attract people for lots of reasons, whether that’s because of financial concerns, reducing food waste or connecting with their community. Every year, as Christmas approaches, we visit our FOOD Clubs to speak to people about why the clubs are so important for them over the winter.

The cost of food

Speaking to people at our clubs the first thing that becomes apparent is how nearly everyone is affected by the current crisis. The cost of food is never far from people’s lips, with mum and grandparent Kay telling us that “I’ve just got to make sure I’ve got enough for myself; I won’t cook a turkey or anything this year… It will just be turkey slices”. Mum, Samantha is even more explicit about the cost of the traditional Christmas turkey, saying simply “meat? What’s meat? In the old days you could afford meat”.

Heating and bills

Despite the focus on food it is clear that this isn’t the only concern for families, as many of our FOOD club members speak about the costs involved in running their houses – like parent, Barry, who tells us “Once the rent and the bills have come out and we’ve paid the council tax; gas, electric… there’s nothing more”. We hear that it’s a common problem, with Mandie adding “that’s happening across the country – I know people who can’t afford to put their heating on”.

 

I’ve just got to make sure I’ve got enough for myself; I won’t cook a turkey or anything this year… It will just be turkey slices

Member of a Family Action FOOD Club

How it feels to cut back on present buying

This year, one in six of us won’t be able to buy presents for our children and the parents attending our FOOD Clubs bring this statistic into stark reality. Kay tells us simply that her family don’t get presents, and “that’s just because I don’t have the money; I used to be able to buy them but not anymore”. Dad Barry says he finds the situation extremely difficult, and that he is drumming it into his kids that they won’t be getting presents this Christmas. He adds that he and his wife are “trying to make them understand that the roof over their heads is the best gift of all”.

 

The emotional impact of the cost of living

When we talk about statistics they can sound dry but the human stories are heartbreaking. Mum, Hayley tells us that: “I’ve sat in the car and cried before because I don’t know how I’m going to make it. I’ll have a bowl of cereal for dinner so the kids can eat well”.

Kindness through adversity

Although many of the people we speak to say their situations are difficult, they also tell us that it hasn’t stopped them contributing to their wider community. Hayley, mentioned above, is no different, telling us that “ridiculously we still do shoeboxes of items for children in other countries. My daughter picks one for a little girl and my son a boy, and they send it off. “There are always people that are worse off, and it’s good to teach the kids that it’s nice to give to others”.

I’ve sat in the car and cried before because I don’t know how I’m going to make it. I’ll have a bowl of cereal for dinner so the kids can eat well.

Mum, Hayley, member of a Family Action FOOD Club

Why the January sales are so important

In Hayley’s case she told us that she’d bought most of her gifts for this year in last year’s sales, noting that her children will be happy with whatever they receive, and she isn’t alone, with Samantha adding that: “I buy for Christmas all year. I don’t have any choice. All the money I’m saving on my food by using the FOOD club will be going on presents, which is why it’s massively helpful.”

How our FOOD Clubs help with the cost of living

Our FOOD clubs provide cheap, nutritious food for a small membership fee, and many people we speak to agree with Samantha that this is a lifesaver for them. However, the other word that is used most to describe their benefit is community. Attendees such as Margaret tell us that, having lost her beloved husband, she enjoys the company at the clubs. She says: “There’s real banter here, and all of us look forward to it, not just me”. It’s a recurring theme, with some people telling us they don’t see anybody else during the week other than the time they visit the club, and others speaking about bringing their children down. One volunteer tells us that “you get to know people and we have a good community – it’s a way to escape for me from the stresses of life”.

All the money I’m saving on my food by using the FOOD club will be going on presents, which is why it’s massively helpful

Mum, Samantha, member of a Family Action FOOD Club

Despite it all…

Despite the gloomy predictions for this Christmas people still tell us they’re looking forward to it, highlighting the value of family and friendship. Some people say they will be sharing Christmas dinner by inviting over other FOOD club members, while others highlight that parenthood is enough of a reward to outweigh the struggles caused by the crisis. Barry puts it best when he says that he realises how much he adores his wife and children during the season, saying: “The family come together at Christmas, and when I see them round the table, I know how blessed I am to have them”.

This Christmas we’re offering a sleigh load of practical and emotional support to families through our FOOD Clubs, financial grants, FamilyLine, and our Christmas Toy Appeal.

By supporting our Toy Appeal, you can give a special gift that will bring Christmas cheer to a family having a tough time. Together, we can keep the magic of Christmas alive.

 

17%

of parents/carers surveyed think they will go without heating their house this Christmas

1 in 6

won't be able to afford to buy presents for their children

11%

will be going without a Christmas meal

Donate

Keep the magic of Christmas alive for a child or young person with nothing to open this year with a symbolic gift donated to our Toy Appeal.

Thank you for your donation to our Toy Appeal. Your gift will bring some magic to a child and their family who have been through hard times this year. If you ever need support, we're here for every family and any family issue through our UK-wide FamilyLine. Thank you again for your donation, please take a look at the rest our website where you will find more information about what we do, our impact on families, stories of those we've helped and how to get support if you need it. Make another donation

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