Steph McGovern chokes up at letter from fan who ‘can’t afford to eat most days’

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Steph McGovern’s Packed Lunch saw powerful scenes today as host Steph read out a letter from a viewer to her guests.

Sent in by a viewer and a mum, the author told that she was able to provide food and warmth for her kids, but that that often meant she herself had to go whole days without eating.

Having lost her job over the first lockdown, the mum told how she felt “shame” at “how far she’s fallen.”

Steph read: “I lost my job several months ago in the previous lockdown. I’m a single parent with three children aged between four and nine.



Steph had to take a moment to compose herself

“I cannot begin to explain how difficult life is financially. I always manage to provide food and heating for the children, but most days I do not eat, and I sit in the dark and cold after they’ve gone to bed. I find myself relying on food banks and the charity of family and friends.

“But sometimes, without them realising, as I have taken food from their bins which they’ve discarded as out of date.

“I’m totally ashamed that I’ve fallen so far.

“Thankfully, however, I’m not in debt yet. But that will be my next challenge, as I’ve no savings left now.

“Myself and the children have been making Christmas decorations from old toilet rolls, tin foil, and odd bit and bobs from the Pound Shop.



Steph shed a few tears as she read out the letter

“I can’t begin to explain what a failure I feel, and how I’ve let my children down. I’m crying as I write this. I’m an intelligent woman, but without work, I am nothing.”

Steph, in her own voice, addressed the sender: “For a start, you’re not nothing. You’re clearly an amazing mam. What you’re doing is putting your kids first and for that, every credit to you.

“Thank you for being brave in sending this letter to us, because there are so many people out there who are struggling.



Steph reached out to the author

“You see it with foodbanks, you see it with all the job losses.”

Chris Kamara chimed in: “It’s so hard to believe that it’s 2020 and it’s still going on.”

*Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.

Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/steph-mcgovern-chokes-up-letter-23147332

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