SCHOOL children in Worcester will benefit from a £5million grants scheme to help give them a healthier start in life.
The scheme, supported by UK community charity Groundwork, will replace the current Tesco Community Grants funding programme.
It will focus on getting schools who lack funds and resources to apply for extra financial help they might need to provide healthy food and activities that boost young people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
This new scheme will enable Worcester schools to apply for support funding to get pupils the nutritious food they need throughout the school day, as well as resources to keep them physically active by using new sports and play equipment or outdoor activities.
Recent findings from Groundwork found 78 per cent of schools are currently having to provide food for children from their own budget.
Jason Tarry, Tesco UK CEO, said: “Tackling classroom hunger is vitally important in helping children get a stronger start in life. Children with enough food have more energy, better concentration and ultimately do better in school.
“As a business that is at the heart of communities, we know that urgent action is needed to improve the lives and prospects of young people. We hope our initiative will help families and schools that are struggling to keep children fed.”
Worcester schools will be able to apply via Groundwork for a grant of up to £1,500 that can go towards activities that focus on providing food to pupils such as fruit for breakfast clubs or snacks to enjoy throughout the day and for equipment for outdoor and indoor activities.
Successful applications will go to a customer vote in their local Tesco store. Two out of the three blue token voting boxes by the checkout will be dedicated to local schools with the third given over to community projects nominated by each store’s colleagues.
Worcester customers can then choose which of the three projects they’d like to support by voting with a blue token.
