Bolton Council’s school catering service has teamed up with a local charity to provide food parcels to pupils self-isolating, who would normally receive free school meals.
Food parcels are being provided and distributed by the catering service and Urban Outreach, a charity which helps households in crises.
Deliveries began at the end of November and so far, more than 600 food parcels have already been distributed to children across the borough.
Cllr Adele Warren, Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services Delivery, said: “It’s fantastic to see our staff working alongside a local charity during these unprecedented times to ensure children unable to attend school are still receiving a meal.”
Dave Bagley, Chief Executive of Urban Outreach, added: “Bolton is at its best when we come together and look after each other so that everyone can get the support they need. It’s a privilege to be a part of this response.”
The initiative is just one way the council’s catering service has adapted during the coronavirus pandemic.
From March to June during the first national lockdown and school closures, the catering service continued to provide meals to vulnerable children and children of key workers who remained in school.
Since September and the reopening of schools to all pupils, the catering service has adapted menus and service styles with hot packed lunches, meals in classrooms and staggered lunch times.