Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief have announced that they are investing over £8 million of donations raised through their partnership into supporting the government’s holiday activities and food programme.

The funding from the supermarket and Comic Relief will help to develop additional holiday club places, including during this summer until at least March 2029.

Holiday clubs are places where children receive healthy meals over the school breaks alongside activities and support.

The holiday clubs were designed to feed children who are not eligible for government-funded school break provision due to eligibility thresholds.

This funding comes after two years of support, which means that by the end of the new three-year commitment, Sainsbury’s will have supported over 500,000 new holiday club places in total.

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Sainsbury’s is also calling on the government to go further and tackle food insecurity by expanding the Holiday Activities and Food programme to cover all school holidays, including half-terms, and align eligibility with free school meals.

As part of the plans to raise £30 million for Comic Relief by 2030, Sainsbury’s has started a colleague fundraising push ‘Move for Meals’.

Running from July to August, Sainsbury’s and Argos employees will participate in challenges such as an Olympic-style relay race and a football tournament.

Ruth Cranston, director of sustainability at Sainsbury’s, said: “Too many children are at risk of going without the food they need during the school holidays – something we simply can’t ignore.

“That’s why we’re committing a significant investment into complementing the government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme so that more children access nutritious food when they need it most.

Customers can donate to Comic Relief in-store, online or by converting and donating Nectar points, and the retailer will match all donations until 31 July.