Feeding Youngsters for The Summer
Sefton has launched an initiative which aims to serve thousands of free hot meals during the summer holidays – supporting families that might otherwise struggle to provide their children with a nutritious meal.
Eight children’s centres and a primary school in the borough will offer the service to their most vulnerable families, who would normally receive a free school meal. Last year the project served up 1,794 meals, feeding 436 adults and 1358 children and this year it is hoped that over 4,000 meals can be provided.
The summer programme, which runs until early September when the schools return, will also provide additional funding for any kitchens to be upgraded, and staff or volunteers given the opportunity to gain qualifications in food hygiene.
Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We know from speaking to many parents, that the long summer months can be a real struggle and children may not get the balanced food that they need.
“We are really pleased to play a small but vital role in helping to make the summer holidays a happier and healthier time for any families that need a bit more support and improving facilities to make it more sustainable in the future.”
The scheme will complement similar work offered by a number of partner organisations including the free sandwich project for families run by Sefton CVS’s charity Sefton4Good.