Young people are provided with free hot meals for an additional three months.
On Monday 1st May 2023, it was announced that HideOut Youth Zone had received another incredible donation towards providing free hot meals to its members.
A £5,000 donation, made by HideOut’s generous supporters, will see young people accessing free hot meals on session from May 1st 2023, until 31st July 2023.
This follows a pilot programme launched in October 2022, which, thanks to funding from St. James’s Place ICG and Burberry PLC, saw the Youth Zone offer free hot meals across the winter months (October until March).
Reflecting on the donation, Philanthropy Manager, Kelly Taylor, said:
“A free hot meal each session was a lifeline for some of our more vulnerable young people [throughout the winter months]. We saw an increase in young people eating together, behaviour improved, and engagement was positive. Thanks to this new donation, the extension of the free hot meal programme will go on to provide more young people with the fuel they need to live a healthy and happy life, ready to take on new challenges, experiences and adventures, without the overarching worry about their next meal”.
A parent of one of HideOut’s Senior Club members said:
“It’s obviously hard to find a safe place where we feel comfortable for him to be, but when he’s a HideOut I know he’s safe and he’s going to have something to eat.”
HideOut Youth Zone is looking to make this a consistent feature at the Youth Zone but can only do this with the support of local businesses, philanthropists and fundraising opportunities. If you are interested in finding out more, or looking to make a future donation to this cause, please contact Director of Fundraising & Communications, Patti Holmes: Patti.Holmes@hideoutyouthzone.org
