Filling the Gap scheme returns for summer holiday break

The Filling the Holiday Gap scheme is designed to replace the term-time free school meals received by many children.

It aims to provide funding to public sector and voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and other charitable groups to help them ensure families they are working with don’t suffer acute food poverty during school holiday periods.

A total of £25,000 is being made available for the summer scheme, and the deadline for applications to be received is midday on Friday 5th July.

Organisations and groups interested in taking part in the scheme can find further details – including an application form – at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/fillingthegap2019

The summer scheme follows on from the success of several others which ran during the summer 2018, Christmas 2018 and Easter 2019 school holidays.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of the Council and Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee, said: “Despite the continuing financial pressures which the Council continues to face, I am delighted that we are once again making money available to support families in need, helping to ease the financial pressure often felt during school holiday breaks.”

Councillor Leisa Smith, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Chair of Children’s and Joint Commissioning Services Committee, added: “The summer holiday break is a fantastic time for many families, but between childcare costs and the need to provide nutritious and healthy meals, for some parents it can be a time of real financial stress and worry.

“Local organisations use this funding to deliver fantastic schemes that ensure children at risk of acute food poverty can eat well and have fun during school holidays, so we would encourage as many as possible to apply.”

For further information or to make an application, please visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/fillingthegap2019