Child poverty rates see demand outstripping capacity at holiday feeding programmes
More schools in Glasgow are to open to feed children and families affected by food poverty over the summer holidays.
A pioneering project to combat hunger in the city has been expanded, with seven schools now taking part.
They will open up over the summer break to tackle the phenomena of “holiday hunger” and to ensure that families which find themselves in need when term-time free school meal ends can access food and support.
The Children In Scotland-run Food, Families, Futures (FFF), scheme will offer lunch, activities, free play and trips out.
As TFN previously revealed, the project was piloted in Dalmarnock and Ibrox in Glasgow over weekends and during the past year FFF has worked with two schools in eastern Perthshire and Irvine in North Ayrshire – all areas experiencing significant levels of child poverty.
The schemes have found themselves over-subscribed, with demand outstripping capacity by 60% in some cases.
Children in Scotland chief executive Jackie Brock said: “We are very pleased to be working with communities throughout Glasgow on this vital project.
“However, we have to bear in mind that increased interest in FFF also reflects increased need, with schools throughout the city telling us that there are more children and families urgently requiring help over the summer.
“Through FFF we will do or best to respond, and alongside our partners ensure that we make inroads fighting food poverty and delivering the summer holiday experiences children in these communities deserve.
“Any school that needs to run holiday clubs as part of their wider work to tackle inequalities in children's health, wellbeing and learning should be supported to do so. We believe our FFF project can contribute to that ambition.”
As part of this year’s summer programme, two FFF projects will also run in West Dunbartonshire, at Clydebank and Vale of Leven.
Further details about the Glasgow schools taking part in FFF will be announced later this month.
Maureen McKenna, executive director of education at Glasgow City Council, said: "The outcomes from last year's FFF pilot were so positive and encouraging and I'm delighted that many more of our families in need across the city will benefit this year as well.
"The beginning of the school holidays is a joy to so many but creates additional, unwanted pressure to people experiencing food poverty. This worthy initiative will help reduce some of this stress for families across Glasgow."
