SCHOOL MEALS

EVERY CHILD NEEDS A HOT LUNCH

Child poverty has reached a historic new level in Germany. According to a study by the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband (DPWV), the introduction of Hartz IV at the beginning of 2008 caused the number of children affected by poverty, the poor children, to rise to a record 1.7 million...

The facts of child poverty (Children's Report 2007): 14% of all children are officially considered poor. Since the introduction of ALG 2 (unemployment benefit 2), the number of children dependent on social assistance or social benefits has doubled to more than 2.5 million. Today, one in six children under the age of seven is dependent on social assistance; in 1965, this figure was just one in seventy-five. Children from immigrant families are particularly affected. The consequences are not only financial, but also health-related. One in three children already requires therapy upon starting school. It is estimated that 5.9 million children live in households where their parents' annual income is up to €15,300. This represents approximately one-third of all children eligible for child benefit.

If no employable member of a household with children is employed, the family's risk of poverty is 48%. If one family member is employed full-time, the risk drops to 8%, and if two members are employed, it drops to 4% (3rd Federal Government Report on Poverty and Wealth, 2008).

Many of these poverty-stricken children don't receive the money from their parents needed to buy a hot lunch at school. ProKids-VS recognized the need and began funding school meals for children in need. The situation has improved as a result of the participation package that has since been introduced. Nevertheless, there are still many children who depend on our foundation's lunch subsidy.

The ProKids Foundation can help! For further information, please contact FJS Ms. Mauthe at

Tel. 07721 / 82-2159 or by email to jbe@villingen-schwenningen.de.

Once approved, we'll cover the costs, except for a €1 co-pay per meal. Don't hesitate.