KEY POINTS:
The Red Cross says it served more than 30,000 meals to hungry pupils during the first year of its Breakfasts in Schools programme.
Thursday will mark the first anniversary of the scheme, which is offered for free to every decile one primary school in New Zealand.
"There are Kiwi kids arriving at school hungry, and as a humanitarian organisation that aims to address vulnerability, we took action to target a real need," National programme manager Patrick Cummings said.
Cereal, toast and a hot drink is supplied by Countdown supermarkets and served by over 100 volunteers.
So far 24 schools have signed up.
They add to the tally of 85 low decile schools which, in March, were receiving food and clothing from charity organisation KidsCan.
Director Julie Helson said the charity had 72 schools on its waiting list.
"The problem is getting worse and most New Zealanders don't know what the actual problem is or how bad it is."
Ms Helson said KidsCan, which delivers non-perishable food products which can be given out whenever children are hungry, could solve the problem with $500,000 funding. At present it relies on donations.
- NZPA
