Sefton Council and Sefton CVS have once again given food for thought at its annual Children’s Access to Food Programme, supplying over four thousand hot meals to those in need.



The scheme, which is in its third year, helps to support families across Sefton who are most in need of help and hot meals, allowing them to end a reliance on school meals to help nourish their children.

Such a scheme would not have been possible without the support and hard work of front line local voluntary, community and faith (VCF) sector groups who were vital in making the programme come together.

A total of 4,350 meals were served across Sefton during the six week period over the summer holidays.

In addition to Sefton Council’s children’s centre and school provision, Sefton CVS coordinated a network of local voluntary, community and faith (VCF) sector organisations including The Orrell Trust, Waterloo Community Association, Parenting 2000 and The Inclusion Network to offer additional access to food during the holidays.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “All of our families were so incredibly grateful for the food and it is difficult to see how they would have managed without it.

“Throughout the scheme we also saw a definite reduction in families requesting food vouchers for the food bank, simply because they were able to access free meals.

“There is a need for schemes such as the Access To Food Programme and we are delighted that we have been able to help and support those families that are most in need within our communities.”