The initiative works alongside the UK Government’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme to support the families of children who fall outside the national eligibility criteria but still need help.
Funded through Sainsbury’s Nourish the Nation campaign and supported by Comic Relief, the programme includes creative activities, day trips, hot meals and a free food shop at The Bread and Butter Thing.
This summer holiday, 33 communities and 4,549 children that don’t meet the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme criteria will gain a place, entitling their family to a free food shop at The Bread and Butter Thing.
Additionally, members in a further 50 communities will receive a free shop this summer, boosting support in more than half of all The Bread and Butter Thing communities across the UK.
“We know that money gets tighter over the school holidays, when support drops away, but pressures only increase,” said Vic Harper, CEO of The Bread and Butter Thing.
“We hear from our communities that programmes like HAF Around the Hub are allowing for valuable memories to be made with their children, despite the current financial challenges.”
“Holiday provision is vital, but so is consistency; that’s why we keep all our food clubs running throughout summer. Providing access to affordable, nutritious food is an everyday thing, not just a term thing.”
The Bread and Butter Thing delivers essential supplies to some of the UK’s most deprived communities through its nationwide network of 145 hubs where members can access affordable ambient, chilled, and fresh food for just £8.50.
In addition to the Holiday Activities and Food activity over the six-week summer period, The Bread and Butter Thing will distribute an estimated 600,000 food bag sets to its members with children at home.
In related news, bread brand Deli Kitchen has teamed up with charity Rethink Food to help children explore food and learn about nutrition through the Curious Kids Club.
