Tesco is donating £5m to help boost school funds for extra food and healthy activities as part of a new initiative launching this summer.
Focused on helping schools who lack funds and resources, the grant programme will benefit thousands of school children across the UK, giving them a healthier, more active, stronger start in life.
“Tackling classroom hunger is vitally important in helping children get a stronger start in life,” said Tesco CEO Jason Tarry.
“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.”
Supported by UK community charity Groundwork, the scheme will allow schools to apply for extra financial help they might need to provide healthy food and activities that boost young people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
It will replace the current Tesco Community Grants funding programme.
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Some 5,300 schools will be able to apply for funding in the first year, ensuring pupils have access to nutritious food as well as new sports and play equipment or outdoor activities.
Recent data from Groundwork revealed that 78% of schools are currently having to provide food for children from their own budget. The Child Poverty Action Group shows that 800,000 children living in poverty are not eligible for free school meals, while two million children do not have access to a healthy diet.
The initiative will also be boosted by Tesco’s ‘Golden Grants’ events, which saw it give away £1 million last year, marking £100m worth of grants given via the Tesco Community Grants Fund. In 23/24, Tesco will award 200 of these £5,000 ‘Golden Grants’ to schools and local projects.
This month also saw Tesco publish its Community Impact Report. Since the programme launched in 2015 it has awarded over £100 million in funding to more than 50,000 community projects.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK chief executive, said: “Schools are at the heart of our communities, and we have supported thousands of projects led by teachers and parents.
“We know that schools are now doing everything they can to help families cope with the rising cost of living, but that school budgets are also under huge pressure. We’re really pleased that through the Tesco programme, we can now focus attention on helping schools provide extra support to those who need it most – helping families make ends meet and helping children learn and flourish.”
