It’s estimated there were 3.9 million children living in poverty in the UK in 2020-21. During the school holidays, there is a raised demand at food banks, often from families who need to find a way to replace term-time free school meals.

To help tackle this critical community issue, local electricity distributor Western Power Distribution (WPD) is inviting community groups and food banks in Midsomer Norton to apply for a share of £500,000 available from its Community Matters Fund, which supports local community initiatives and good causes. The application window is now open and will close on Tuesday, 14th June.

The fund aims to support a wide range of activities and services that provide immediate intervention for families during the school holidays. This could include the distribution of food parcels as well as funding for holiday clubs that provide free meals. Projects that provide longer term support, such as cookery classes and budget management, will also be eligible.

WPD’s Resources & External Affairs Director, Alison Sleightholm, said: “We sadly know that during the summer holiday period, some children go hungry because they miss their free school meals. We also understand that parents may struggle to meet increased care costs while they are at work and often skip meals to enable their children to eat. As a company committed to supporting our communities, we strongly believe that we have a pressing obligation to support our young people and their families and, where we can, tackle holiday hunger this summer.

“WPD is looking to partner with community organisations, parent and teacher associations and organisations in Midsomer Norton which are providing grassroots support. No child should go hungry over the school holiday period, and we hope to support as many groups, organisations and food banks as possible with the latest round of our community funding.”

For more information and to apply, please visit: www.westernpower.co.uk/community-matters-fund. Follow the fund on social media via #WPDCommunityFund