Gateshead Council provides 3,300 packed lunches for children
Earlier this year the council secured funding of £228,000 from the Department for Education’s Holiday and Activities and Food Programme to provide activities and food for families in Gateshead. The campaign has been running for the past three weeks and it has proved ‘popular’.
Gateshead Council has also created a cook ‘n’ eat weekly food box delivery scheme to 1,000 families who qualify for free school meals. Due to Covid-19 closing schools more children are experiencing holiday hunger.
Councillor Catherine Donovan, deputy leader of Gateshead Council, said: “Social distancing restrictions have resulted in smaller groups of children being allowed to attend venues, but we have worked hard to bring a wide range of online activities that are accessible to the wider public.
"I'm delighted that we have been able to provide packed lunches, breakfasts and cook ‘n’ eat packs to those families who most need it as well as inspiring all families to cook great value healthy meals to enjoy together."