BRADFORD Council has announced the 35 community groups across the district that are sharing almost £85,000 of funding to fee disadvantaged children over half-term.

Dozens of organisations came forward to help the Council support school children who are at risk of going hungry while schools are closed.

The scheme is set to provide more than 17,000 meals, including through hot meal deliveries, food parcels and a pop-up youth cafe.

This support follows the £20,000 donation made by Bradford Council to the district's four food banks - Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank, Bradford Central Food Bank, Inn Churches, and Keighley Salvation Army - to help them cope with increased demand.

This support was announced on Friday after the Government chose not to fund food vouchers for families on free school meals over half-term.

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: “As a council we had no hesitation in stepping up to make sure no child in our district goes hungry this half-term.

“We have provided the funds but it is only with the support of the wonderful charities and communities in our district that we have been able to put this plan into action at such short notice.

"I am immensely grateful to them and their dedicated staff and volunteers for their assistance and I urge anyone who needs support to contact the group closest to them.

“In addition to what the Council and these organisations are doing, scores of businesses across the district have also stepped forward to offer free lunches to disadvantaged children over half-term. That is incredibly heart-warming.

"It is a testament to the generosity of the people of our district that so many have answered the call to help some of the most vulnerable in our community even though they are having a tough time themselves because of the pandemic.

“Together we are ensuring that thousands of children from some of the poorest households do not go hungry this half-term and can return to school next week ready to learn and build their best future.

The full list of organisations working with the council on the half-term food programme is: 

  • Yorkshire Academy of Creative Arts & Dance
  • Bradford Trident
  • Grange Interlink
  • Sandale Community Development Trust
  • Kidfit Ltd
  • Bradford City Community Foundation
  • Addingham Youth Centre
  • Manningham Mills Sports & Community Association
  • Play Bradford
  • BEAP Community Partnership
  • The Valley Project
  • MAPA Bradford
  • Karmand Community Centre
  • Bierley Community Association
  • The Laisterdyke Hub
  • Flying Futures
  • Brathay Trust
  • Emerge
  • Fagley Community Association Emerge
  • NAFS
  • Hollings Youth Organisation
  • Girlington Community Centre
  • Arakan Rohingya Organisation UK
  • Bangladeshi Youth Organisation (BYO)
  • The Youth Association
  • SNOOP
  • Keighley Association for Women and Children Centre
  • Sangat Community Centre
  • Highfield Community Association
  • Windhill Community Café
  • Womenzone Community Centre
  • Healthy Growth Initiative Ltd 
  • Keighley Healthy Living
  • Café West
  • Bradford Community Kitchens