Hodgson pupils help food bank

The youngsters asked for tinned and packet food, filling 20 crates, which were then passed on to Blackpool Food Bank for distribution.

Running the project every year is head of religious education Aimee King.

She started the project four years ago, and it has continued to grow ever since.

She said: “Blackpool is one of the hardest hit in terms of poverty and summer holidays are when the food banks dry up.”

Year Eight students are taught about the role of food banks in the local community and have the opportunity to learn more about the invaluable services Blackpool Food Bank provides.

Discussing how the project impacts students’ awareness, Aimee added: “It’s families who use the food banks.

“The project opens pupils’ eyes and they learn that children need help from the food bank.”

Hodgson Academy holds frequent charity events, and Aimee added that the food bank is a good opportunity for the pupils to show an act of compassion.

She added: “We don’t know where the food goes, it’s all confidential so it really is a selfless act.

“We do so much for charity, but this is really the only thing we do where we don’t get anything back, so it raises awareness and makes the students think.”

Blackpool Food Bank works in cooperation with front line services, providing hygiene and food parcels where needed.

Shauna Lewis