Holiday Meals

For families on low incomes in the UK, the holidays, in particular the summer holidays, can be a very difficult time, causing stress, isolation, poor health and food insecurity.  Research has shown how this food insecurity can have highly detrimental effects on children’s academic, social and physical development. 

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Over the past 5 years, GCDA along with partners GLL, CACT Youth Services and the Royal Borough of Greenwich have been providing food at adventure playgrounds, community centres and youth centres during the holidays to offer a healthy, delicious meal for free, so relieving some of the pressure for these families.

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GCDA centrally produce the food and deliver it to the venues where volunteers and staff heat and serve it.  Children and young people also receive some fruit or other healthy snack.  

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Greenwich council has made the incredible decision to mainstream this service, meaning the food will be available during all holidays, not just the summer and last year we served over 8000 meals!

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Sadly current restrictions have meant a change to our delivery models, but rest assured, food is still going out to those who need it. Once things are back to normal, if you are interested in finding out more, have a venue you’d like to offer meals at, would like to start your own club, or would like to volunteer, please do get in touch with sophie@gcda.org.uk to find out more. 

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We have created a ‘How to Guide’ for setting up a holiday meals club with loads of information about how to get something set up.  You can download the guide here and flow chart to find the best model for you here