Sefton Council and its partners are once again leading the way in providing food to schoolchildren in need throughout the 2021 summer holidays.

Now in its sixth year, the much-needed provision will see Sefton Council and Sefton Council For Voluntary Services (Sefton CVS) plate up thousands of hot meals for those children who need them.

As in 2020, families who have had their income significantly affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will also be eligible for the scheme.

More than five thousand meals, in the form of takeaway packed lunches, are served through the scheme.

Sefton Council is again working in partnership with Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) to co-ordinate additional access to food with local Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) sector organisations across the borough.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: "This is always a very important service to provide and we continue to do all we can to help people who would otherwise struggle to put food on the table.

"We have had families tell us that without this service, they would have to miss paying bills to meet the extra cost of feeding their children during the long summer months.

"Sadly, there is a need for schemes such as the Access To Food Programme and we are delighted that we are once again able to help and support those families that are most in need within our communities."

It comes after Sefton confirmed funding for free school meals over the six-week school summer holidays.

That scheme to support children and families who receive free school meals will, once again, work through the provision of supermarket vouchers. As with previous holiday vouchers, they will be valid to buy food in store and online at local supermarkets.

Angela White, Chief Executive of Sefton CVS said: “We understand that the summer holidays can be an extremely challenging time for some families.

"We are pleased to be working alongside Sefton Council to offer a coordinated response to meet the needs of our local communities."

The scheme will run from August to September, with those families eligible for the scheme being notified in advance of where to collect their meals.