Nearly 1000 primary aged children in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester are accessing free school meals (information taken from schools most recent Ofsted reports accessed July 2018). All the primary schools in the area have higher than the national average number of pupil’s receiving free school meals, with some of the schools having significantly higher numbers of students receiving free school meals.

These families are often placed under immense financial pressure during the school holidays and are more likely to access a food bank during the holidays (Trussell Trust, 2018). Numerous reports have been published by local food banks and in the local media about the financial stress school holidays place on local families.

Big Picnic aims to reduce the pressure families’ face by providing free ‘picnic packs’ for children and families during the school holidays. Schools have been contacted and those that wish to take part will receive up to 250 picnic packs to distribute where they are needed most. The packs will contain non- perishable/ long shelf life pre- packaged food and colouring equipment, and will be given to those that want or need, prior to the school holidays.

I have developed the model to be simple and therefore replicable in any local authority where there is need, up and down the country.

Big Picnic aims to provide a simple packed lunch for as many days as funding will allow over the summer break. This will be piloted summer ‘19.

This cannot take place with food and monetary donations... The schools are on board and I have a plan, so all I need to do now is raise the cash! Please give what you can, this is completely non- profit so anything you give will go directly towards the cause. Roughly £1 will buy 1 picnic pack, so even £1 will make such a huge difference.

If you can help with anything else (food donations from the list, new colouring books/ pencils or anything else) please get in touch via the Facebook Page).

I will be organising a few little fundraising events and would love you to make it.

Sarah x