Supporting Children’s Meals During Winter Break with Food Drive Donations

Supporting Children's Meals During Winter Break with Food Drive Donations

As winter break approaches, the issue of school meal absence becomes a pressing concern for many families. The Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, a community-based cooperative located in Kofu City, is stepping up to assist those in need through a food drive donation event on December 15 and 18, 2025. The goal is to ensure that no child goes hungry during the long holiday, especially considering the rising cost of food which is expected to impact more than 20,000 households.

Details of the Food Donation Ceremony

The donation event will be held in collaboration with the certified NPO Food Bank Yamanashi and the Suwa Regional Promotion Bureau. On December 15, the first ceremony will take place at the Yamanashi Food Bank Center, and on December 18, a second event will be held at the Suwa Joint Government Office. These donations will help mitigate the impact of lunch absence for children during the break.

Pal System Yamanashi Nagano is encouraging around 30,000 users of their delivery service to contribute any non-perishable food they might not use, as they do every year. The collected items will be distributed through the Food Bank Yamanashi and other local organizations, targeting families experiencing food insecurity.

Understanding the Challenge

During long school breaks, many children depend on school lunches for their daily nutrition. In 2025, with over 20,000 varieties of food items experiencing price increases, multiple voices have emerged from struggling households, noting that children are unable to maintain adequate food intake during these periods. The consequences can be severe, with some children losing weight during the winter break.

Pal System Yamanashi Nagano prioritizes community welfare and aims to build a society that does not leave anyone behind. By collaborating with users and local organizations, they address the pressing issue of food insecurity in the community, emphasizing that individual efforts can contribute to a collective positive impact.