A food hub says families are “struggling to provide meals for their children” as supermarket prices soar amid the cost of living crisis.
The Jeely Piece Club in the city's Southside is planning to help up to 180 households each week put healthy meals on the table thanks to a new initiative.
The long-established Castlemilk charity received a £30,000 funding boost to support the programme, courtesy of the Glasgow Community Anchors’ Fund – a partnership between the HFD Charitable Foundation and Virgin Money Foundation.
Elaine McKenna, chief executive officer at the Jeely Piece Club, said: “The generous funding will greatly support the Jeely Piece Club and our community.
“Our new meal plan and food health education initiative will be a key contributor in teaching the kids the importance of nutritious meals for their growth. We hope to do this in a way that is fun for them, so they enjoy the learning process and want to keep coming back.”
She added: “During Covid, we became the hub of a food distribution network and saw how important it was to help kids stay well fed during challenging times.
“This new programme will be able to help us do the same. Not only will we be able to feed the community well-balanced meals but we can also lend a helping hand to parents to plan inexpensive food options.”
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To deliver the new meal planning project, the club is expanding its catering team and searching for an experienced chef to join its ranks.
By building a knowledgeable catering team that will continue to teach healthy cooking and meal preparation, this could support parents to make healthy, cost-effective meals at home.
Founded in 1975, the Jeely Piece Club is dedicated to increasing life chances and opportunities for both children and adults, keeping the community at the heart of its work.
All children are welcome, no matter their circumstances. The Jeely Early Years Centre and the Jeely Playzone Centre provide spaces for kids to have fun whilst their parents can relax in the café.
Lauren McKenzie, HFD Charitable Foundation ambassador, added: “Through the Glasgow Community Anchors’ Fund, we can support good causes within Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
"Local communities are benefiting greatly from these organisations, particularly during challenging economic times.”
Nancy Doyle-Hall, executive director at the Virgin Money Foundation, added: “Ensuring children have healthy, nutritious meals is paramount during this cost of living crisis.
"It is wonderful to see the Jeely Piece Club being able to support their local community with this through the funding they have received from the Community Anchors’ Fund.”
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