A CHARITY is appealing for donations of food over fears that young children could go hungry during the school holidays.

FareShare is an organisation which redistributes surplus food but bosses are concerned that lack of resources during July and August could hit families hard.

In order to meet the needs of children, the charity is calling on suppliers and producers to donate fruit, child-friendly snacks, wraps and low sugar juice as well as items with a long shelf life.

There is also a need for volunteers who would give a minimum of four hours on a temporary basis, helping in the FareShare warehouse based in East Manchester.

Last year saw the charity provide food to 19 holiday schemes who between them helped feed almost 1,500 children each week across Greater Manchester but this year staff are focusing particularly on Oldham.

Miranda Kaunang, head of development at the charity, said: “School holidays should be fun and full of new experiences, but the reality is it can be a really tough time for low income and vulnerable families - many of which rely on free school meals during term time.

“Without this access over summer, families face a period of increased struggle with children at risk of hunger, isolation and inactivity.

“Our ActiveAte summer campaign will support the work of frontline holiday schemes working with children and young people, by providing regular deliveries of quality surplus food ready to be made into nutritious meals.”

To donate to and find out more about FareShare’s ActiveAte campaign, visit http://fareshare.org.uk/ActiveAte