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487 application forms were presented in all throughout the year 1919, the duration of feeding
for any individual varying from the requisite time for full enquiry to be completed to the whole twelve
months. The number given above does not include those children who applied directly to the
Feeding Centre without first obtaining a Form. It is mostly in the South Kilburn area that such
applications are made, numbering, on an average, about two per week. It is apparently the case
that many children are left with their mid-day meal unprovided for while both parents are out at
work. Such cases are almost invariably above the Education Committee's Scale, so that the want of a
properly conducted Feeding Centre, where meals may be obtained at a small charge, is especially felt
in this respect.
Contracts.—No contracts were entered into during the year for the supply of goods to the
Feeding Centres. The unstable condition of the markets and the varying control and prices of certain
food stuffs rendered such a proceeding inadvisable. Messrs.–have continued, satisfactorily, to
supply most needs—the punctuality of the deliveries having contributed to the smooth working of
the Centres.
Local quotations of prices for vegetables during the summer months were less than Messrs.
–'s current prices, hence a change was made in this respect, and greengroceries were obtained
from July onwards from Messrs.–, of Harlesden. The control of expenditure is much facilitated
where one firm only is dealt with and the accounts are rendered at regular intervals.
Cost.—The cost of meals varied from an average of 3.76d. for food only, and 5.9d. for the
total cost per meal in the first quarter of 1919 to 3.66d. for food only and 6.23d. for the total cost per
meal in the last quarter of 1919.
Kilburn Feeding Centre.—Negotiations were entered into with the owner of the premises,
34, Lonsdale Road, Kilburn, which it was felt could be easily adapted as a Feeding Centre. The
premises were sufficiently commodious to have seated 400 children simultaneously, with adequate
space reserved for the Staff at work. Unfortunately, after the sanction of the Board of Education
had been given to the purchase of the building, the landlord refused to sell to the Willesden Council.
The Kilburn area has been scoured for other accommodation, but there is a regrettable absence of any
suitable premises at present available in the neighbourhood.
The chief points of adverse criticism to the existing arrangements at the Kilburn Voluntary
Feeding Centre are as follows :—
(i.) The poorness in quality of the children's meals.
(ii.) The monotony of the meals.
(iii.) The insufficiency of the food provided.
(iv.) The lack of discipline and neglect of the educational aspect of the meal time.
(v.) The entire absence of any available washing or lavatory accommodation.
(vi.) The inadequacy and inferiority of the service.
Special Meals.—Special Meals, consisting of a glass or mug of dried milk, are given during the
morning school interval in cases judged by the Medical Staff to stand in need of extra nourishment.
When school medical inspection is completely resumed, there will doubtless be brought to light a
larger number of children requiring this additional feeding.
During this year the number of children supplied with special meals was 3, of whom 2 paid
the cost price, the other being supplied free.
The total number of such meals supplied at the schools was 147.
During the last month of the year three children, on account of extreme poverty, were supplied
with breakfasts in addition to dinners. These meals were given at the Gibbons Road Feeding
Centre and consisted of cocoa, mixed with dried milk and sweetened with sugar, and slices of bread,
spread with margarine. Such a simple meal as the above can be supplied to meet emergency cases
at extremely short notice.
The Effect of School Feeding.—From a general point of view, and without verifying such
an impression by experimental tests, children appear after not very long attendance at the Feeding
Centres to be improved in appearance physically. They seem more vigorous and alert, and appear
to lose the apathetic interest-lacking expression which characterises many children from very poor
homes.
Some of the apparent increase in vitality may be due simply to the awakened interest in new
surroundings and fresh faces, but as it appears to be a lasting and not a passing change, it may be
partly, at any rate, ascribed to an improved physical condition resultant on feeding. Dull, lifeless
looking children become more animated, take an interest in their surroundings, respond to
advances from without, and generally shew somewhat of the spirited mental activities of a child.