Influx in schools seeking charity assistance

Influx in schools seeking charity assistance

An influx in the number of schools seeking assistance from KidsCan has got both the charity and the Principals' Federation urging changes to how New Zealand deals with poverty.

Since the start of winter, the Government-subsidised charity which provides basic essentials to 21,000 kids each week has been approached by 14 more schools seeking help - an extra 3773 children.

KidsCan founder Julie Chapman says they've not got one of the largest waiting lists the charity has ever seen.

"We've got children waiting in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Northland and sort of everywhere in between."

KidsCan has also noticed an increase in kids going without soap, toothpaste and shampoo.

"The problem is the food has got to come first, and so those other personal hygiene things just fall by the wayside," says Ms Chapman.

She told Newshub some of the families she deals with have no more than $60 to spend on groceries a week after rent has been paid, making food the priority.

These concerns are echoed by the Principals' Federation too, which says high living costs mean schools are forever increasing the amount of care they have to facilitate.

President Iain Taylor says a lack of food and other basics at home does nothing for the ability to learn.

"Everyone knows that if you don't have something in your tummy, or you are not feeling clean and tidy or whatever else, you're not going to be  ready to learn, you're not going to be in that frame of mind.

"A school would always support a child no matter what was needed because that is just what you would do. But it does take time, it's resourcing in terms of staff, it's emotional energy because at the end of the day you want to solve a problem, but you can't actually solve the underlying issue."

Across New Zealand around 29 percent of Kiwi kids are believed to be in poverty. Nine percent are at the severe end of the scale.

The 14 extra schools mean an added 3773 children are now on KidsCan's waiting list, and Mr Taylor says it's a frightening trend.

"We can't keep ignoring the growing poverty… the Government has to look at what their social policies are and how they are not working."

Newshub.