In the UK, 4.5 million children are living in poverty. Hunger is no longer hidden; it’s in our classrooms. It undermines children’s health, concentration and confidence, limiting their potential before they’ve even had a chance to thrive.

Today, more than 4,000 schools are providing food support to pupils and families. Classrooms have quietly become emergency food hubs, but this support is happening without consistent funding, structure or long-term strategy. Schools are stepping up, but they cannot do it alone.

The National School Pantry Network exists to change that.

We provide funding, food access and practical support to schools, ensuring children and families can access nutritious food with dignity, not just during the school day, but at home, where the need is often greatest. We combine food provision with education, helping families build confidence to cook healthy, affordable meals and strengthening communities from the ground up.

Our work is not only recognised locally, it has been highlighted in the Government’s Our Children, Our Future – Tackling Child Poverty Strategy as an example of impactful, community-led innovation. This national recognition shows that school-based, preventative models work.

For over ten years, Rethink Food has tackled child food insecurity through crisis food support, education programmes and strong partnerships across schools, businesses and the food sector. The National School Pantry Network builds on that proven experience to deliver sustainable, scalable change.

By supporting the Network, you are directly improving children’s health, wellbeing and educational outcomes.

Every £5,000 raised supports one school for a full year, providing consistent access to high-quality food for families who need it most.

Whether your donation is large or small, you are helping ensure that no child’s future is limited by hunger.

Together, we can build a generation of healthy children and stronger communities for us all.