Completion Report: "10th Food Bank Children Support National Project"

The National Council of Food Banks (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiroaki Yoneyama) has announced the completion of the "10th Food Bank Children Support National Project" at the end of January, which it had been implementing in cooperation with member food bank organizations nationwide since December 2025. In this project, in collaboration with 50 food bank organizations, food assistance was provided to a total of 47,120 households nationwide. ■ What is the Food Bank Children Support National Project? The "Food Bank Children Support National Project" is a project that the National Council of Food Banks and its member food bank organizations started in cooperation in 2021, and this was its 10th implementation. The purpose of this project is the early detection and early support of impoverished households with children, which have been difficult to identify until now, and the expansion of nationwide food support activities. Local food bank organizations, in cooperation with administrative bodies, social welfare councils, elementary and junior high schools, and other educational institutions, engage in intensive food support activities during long holidays when school lunches are not provided. ■ Project Results Report Name: 10th Food Bank Children Support National Project Number of households supported: 47,120 households Implementation period: December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 Number of participating organizations: 50 organizations Activities: Intensive food support activities for impoverished households with children during the winter holiday period when school lunches are not provided. ■ List of participating organizations in this project Activities of Certified NPO Food Bank Yamanashi Activities of NPO Food Bank Yamaguchi ■ List of cooperating companies *Only companies that have given permission are listed, without honorifics, in alphabetical order. ■ Voices from users "Amidst rising prices making it difficult to cut food expenses, we received a box full of Christmas-themed food, handmade cakes, zenzai sets, and sweets, which truly encouraged our family. We are looking forward to a very good Christmas and winter holiday. Thank you always." "Living on no income and trying to save, the support from the food bank has been a great help in our lives. We are nothing but grateful. Thank you always." Letters received by food bank organizations Part of the donations ■ Current status of food bank activities in recent years The current child poverty rate in Japan is 11.5%, meaning approximately one in nine children are considered poor, and many children need food assistance. While the social need for food support continues to increase due to the recent rise in prices, some organizations are facing the severe reality of decreasing food donations. Japan is lagging internationally in the spread of food bank activities, and food bank organizations across the country face common challenges such as a lack of food, know-how, and operating funds necessary for support. These challenges hinder the growth of organizations, preventing domestic food bank organizations from fully fulfilling their role as a means of solving social issues like food loss and poverty. The National Council of Food Banks is working to solve these challenges faced by food bank organizations, aiming to deliver more food support to impoverished households and their children. ■ Number of households supported by the same project in the past 1st time: Total 14,011 households 2nd time: Total 10,659 households 3rd time: Total 17,675 households 4th time: Total 28,565 households 5th time: Total 38,549 households 6th time: Total 38,317 households 7th time: Total 41,433 households 8th time: Total 36,756 households 9th time: Total 43,407 households 10th time: Total 47,120 households Total 316,492 households Organization Name: National Council of Food Banks Head Office Location: Hijikata Building 7F, 1-8-17 Kitanishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0074 Representative Director: Hiroaki Yoneyama Established: November 13, 2015 URL: https://www.fb-kyougikai.net/ Activities: Policy advocacy, public relations activities, know-how support for food bank organizations, mediation of food donations Mission: To create a society where no one struggles for tomorrow's meal Contact Person: Kobayashi (03-6912-9444)