Cash for Kids gets £150,000 to help fight holiday hunger

A children's charity has been given £150,000 of government funding to help combat holiday hunger.

Cash for Kids is the first to get a slice of the £1 million the Scottish Government has pledged in the next two years to deal with food insecurity in the school holidays.

The charity will use the cash to help community organisations provide meals and activities for pupils during the holidays.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell made the announcement on a visit to Pilton Youth and Children's Project in Edinburgh which will provide activities for 250 children this summer.

She said: “In a country as prosperous as Scotland, no child should be going hungry.

“We already offer free school meals to all pupils in P1 to P3 and families on low incomes, but we know that costs can often rise during the school holidays and it can be a struggle for families to provide affordable, healthy and nutritious food as well as fun activities for children every day.

“Earlier this year we announced an additional £1 million from the Fair Food Fund will be available over the next two years to tackle food insecurity during the school holidays.

“I'm pleased that one of my first acts as Cabinet Secretary is to announce that Cash for Kids will be the first recipient of this fund to support their holiday activity.''

The money is part of the £1.5 million Fair Food Fund which backs projects to help end reliance on food banks.

Debbie Fraser, regional charity manager at Cash for Kids, said: “The funding will make a huge difference to holiday clubs and grassroots groups and will ensure children have a great experience this summer.'