Record £540,000 Boost to Tackle Holiday Hunger

Meals & More has announced the largest funding round in its history, committing £540,000 to support children and families during the school holidays as growing numbers of households struggle with rising costs.

Founded in 2015 by foodservice wholesaler Brakes, the charity has expanded its investment in response to increasing demand from communities where more families are seeking help.

The latest funding round will support more than 60 delivery partners and over 400 holiday clubs, enabling the provision of 350,000 meals alongside activities designed to support children’s wellbeing, confidence and development.

Meals & More is backed by a growing network of corporate partners, including Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, Unilever and the Quilter Foundation.

The charity will also continue its popular Big Day Out initiative, which provides grants allowing holiday clubs to take children on special outings. For many participants, the trips offer a rare opportunity to enjoy an experience that might otherwise be out of reach.

Sam Payne, Managing Director of Meals & More, said the charity was witnessing levels of need far beyond anything anticipated when it was established.

“We are seeing need on a scale we could never have imagined when Brakes founded Meals & More. Families who have never asked for help before are now turning to our partners because they simply cannot stretch their budgets any further,” he said.

“This funding is our strongest commitment yet because every child deserves good food, safe spaces & the chance to grow.

“Our partners are doing extraordinary work in the toughest circumstances, and this funding is a recognition of their dedication. It’s also a call to action because no child’s wellbeing should depend on the luck of where they live.”

Laura English, from delivery partner EMPOWER Youth Zones in Manchester, said the support was particularly important for families who narrowly miss the eligibility criteria for other forms of funded provision.

“For families who don’t quite meet the criteria for funded support but are still really struggling during the school holidays, this provision makes a huge difference,” she said.

“We’ve seen children grow in confidence, build friendships and really look forward to coming back each holiday.”

As demand for holiday support continues to rise, Meals & More is calling on businesses, funders and other supporters to help community organisations maintain access to safe spaces, healthy meals and enriching experiences throughout the school holidays.