Meath students host launch event for innovative food poverty initiative

25 students from Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath will launch their innovative food poverty initiative this Friday (6th May at 11.30am) in the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells at a special event being attended by Minister Helen McEntee as part of their participation in Young Social Innovators (YSI).

The Transition Year students are launching their ‘Making Poverty Our Priority’ project which aims to address local need through the provision of care packages purchased within partnering supermarkets and distributed to people experiencing difficulty either by the purchasing customer or an organisation supporting those living in poverty.

SuperValu in Kells is an early adopter of the innovative scheme developed by the students and a representative from the store will be in attendance at the event.

Speaking about the initiative, a student spokesperson said: "We are aware of the huge issues facing people in poverty in our society. Quite a lot of people on our island are living in secret poverty.

Not many or perhaps no one at all knows the plight they face. We are also aware of the large number of agencies who can assist citizens who find themselves poverty stricken or indeed homeless. However, we believe that charity begins at home and each local area should reach out to the needs of their citizens. We plan to team up with local businesses (such as SuperValu) to roll out a sustainable care package for people who find themselves in poverty. "

Now in its 21st year, Young Social Innovators challenges young people to come up with and implement creative solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing them, their communities and wider Irish society.