Why SP boss Babler thinks a warm lunch for children is important

The Volkshilfe spring reception in the Perg Technology Center on Friday evening featured a top-class podium and more than 150 people in the audience. Under the motto “Abolish child poverty” the discussion focused on how to address the risk of poverty and economically-related exclusion of children and young people.

The highlight of the evening was the panel discussion, in which SP federal party chairman Andreas Babler and Erich Fenninger, director of Volkshilfe Österreich, took part. “Every fifth child in Austria is at risk of poverty and exclusion, which deprives children of opportunities and perspectives. Children from families affected by poverty have fewer friends and are less able to participate in social life,” said Fenninger, who also referred to the basic child welfare model developed by Volkshilfe referred. “This should give all children a good start in life.”

Andreas Babler, in his role as mayor of Traiskirchen, started a project that offers all children a warm lunch. “In our city, we make sure that we don’t leave anyone behind. A warm lunch is a basic need that we are now making possible for all children.” As SPÖ chairman, Babler wants to roll out this model for kindergartens and compulsory schools across Austria.

Daniela Gruber-Pruner, managing director of Kinderfreunde Österreich and Hanna Lichtenberger, Volkshilfe expert on child poverty, contributed further impulses to the main topic. Stephanie Kurat presented a well-regarded initiative by Volkshilfe Kärnten with the “Breakfast Club”: “We offer a healthy and regional breakfast before school starts. All children are allowed to take part.” The Breakfast Club is now being held at 15 schools in Carinthia. Volkshilfe Perg would also like to implement this, said the local Volkshilfe chairwoman Sabine Schatz: “We want to implement the Breakfast Club in a pilot project in the district and have it supported scientifically. We are currently still looking for the financial means for this. ”