Coddington company's pledge sees children enjoy free summer school meals
Hundreds of Newark children are enjoying free meals this summer.
Around 150 healthy meals were served during local business Totemic Ltd’s pledge to reduce the number of youngsters from going hungry during the school holidays.
The first set of volunteers visited Coddington primary school’s summer camp last week, and the children took part in food-related activities with the volunteers, as well as helping with the preparation of the food.
These were the first of several outings, which aim to provide more than 500 meals to children across Newark over the coming weeks.
Totemic Ltd incorporates a range of financial services companies, including one of the UK’s largest free debt help providers, PayPlan, which spearheaded the campaign. It is supporting
the national Holiday Hunger initiative by providing free nutritious food to local children throughout the summer.
Rachel Duffey, CEO of PayPlan, said: “Families can be pushed into food poverty and financial insecurity during school holidays as they have to find the additional funds to supplement the school meals their children normally enjoy during term time.
“Offering free food and drinks to local children helps to reduce the strain of this additional cost and allowing parents to take away leftover produce also means they can cook even more healthy meals at home.
“I’m delighted our volunteers have already put a smile on so many kids’ faces, and another group of employees is looking forward to providing meals to even more children next week.”
Jill Musson, playscheme leader at Newark and Sherwood Community Hub, a charity which provides play opportunities for children in the area, said: “Totemic’s great team of volunteers were happy to help and got fully involved with the children who loved the food and activities.
The food was fresh, healthy, included lots of fruit and gave them the energy to play and get full value from the playscheme experience, whilst adding another dimension to their day.
“It’s wonderful to see a local company involved in a community activity with such enthusiastic staff and we can’t thank Totemic enough.”
A parent of one child said: “Emily loved summer camp and couldn’t wait to go every day. She loved everything, including the different activities, lovely food and helping to prepare her lunch with all the other children too."
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