Reading Borough Council make school meals pledge
Last updated 24th Oct 2020
Reading Borough Council and partners say they will provide support to families who need help accessing regular meals for children within the Borough during half term.
They are asking families in difficulty who need help to provide regular meals for their children to call the One Reading Community Hub on 0808 1894325 from Monday 26 October.
The One Reading Community Hub is a partnership between Reading Borough Council and voluntary sector partners in Reading. The Hub works with Brighter Futures for Children, the Council’s children’s services provider, to help families in need across the Borough to access organisations who can provide support.
The University of Reading has offered to provide hot meals to children from Tuesday, with other options being available as most appropriate to circumstances. By directing people through the Hub the Council say its able to assess the needs of each family and ensure the right level of support is provided, whether that is direct access to food or a holistic package of advice including information about welfare rights, benefits and childcare services.
Cllr Liz Terry, Lead Councillor for Children, said:
“Families are under severe pressure due to the Covid pandemic and they desperately need the government to continue with the scheme they put in place in the summer.
“We cannot countenance children going hungry across Reading this half term. The Council is working with partners across the community to ensure that parents in need can access support and put food on their children’s plates. The One Reading Community Hub is here to support families who face severe hardship at this difficult time and anyone in distress should call 0808 1894325 from Monday 26 October."