Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Holiday grub is dished up
Youngsters won’t go hungry
Venues have been announced for the Coatbridge pilot project of North Lanarkshire’s Club 365 free meals programme, which begins on Friday.
The initiative will operate at Coatbridge community centre on Old Monkland Road; Charlotte Toal centre on Dundyvan Road; Old Monkland community centre on Lismore Drive; and Townhead community centre on Townhead Road.
Youngsters from Primary One up to and including third year at high school who are entitled to free meals can attend every day from Friday until Sunday, April 15 – including all weekends and public holidays.
They can attend from 11.30am to 2.30pm each day, with multisports games and activities on offer each day; lunch will be served from 12.45pm and no pre-booking is needed.
Coatbridge’s pilot scheme, to tackle “holiday hunger”, was overwhelmingly approved at an education committee meeting last month, gaining the backing of the Labour and SNP groups.
North Lanarkshire Council then intend to roll out the £415,000 programme in 23 hubs across the whole authority area at the end of the summer term, and extend it to cover all 175 days of the year when pupils are not at school.
Education convener Frank McNally told the Advertiser: “There are some children leaving school on Friday and not having a meal until they return on Monday – that’s an absolute disgrace, totally unacceptable and the council will do all it can to tackle that.
“We’re trying to get as many people as possible involved in the Coatbridge pilot, and my hope is that young people and families will come along and engage.
“These proposals to tackle weekend and holiday hunger are the most ambitious in the country – a good diet plays a key role in healthy growth and development, supporting learning and social skills and sets a positive habit to be continued later in life.
“Our plans will promote healthy eating and address some of the symptoms of poverty for children who need it most.”
Parents and carers seeking information on the project can email club365@northlan.gov. uk or call 01236 812314.