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Tue, 11 Aug 2026

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 Families under pressure to find food in summer

Parents are struggling to feed children in the school holidays, with more families using food banks.

* YMCA Cheltenham's "family fun days" have seen 67 children and their families attend an event in one week, where they can play outside and enjoy free healthy food.
* Radstock Food Club in Somerset has reported a rise in demand for its services, with over 100 families now receiving food from the facility.
* According to Rob Charsley of YMCA Cheltenham, 18% of children in Cheltenham and 17% of Gloucester children experience very low food security.
* Some attendees have expressed concerns about the quality and price of food provided by the "family fun days" and food banks in general.
* Sofia Perkins, manager of Radstock Food Club, said there is less stigma surrounding food banks than previously, but the increased demand for food among families is concerning.