(Image: City of York Council)
More than 21,000 free breakfasts will be served to schoolchildren in York over the next three years.
This is thanks to a £55,000 donation to the York Hungry Minds campaign from members of Stockpaert, a Dutch social network, through their charitable Trekpaert Foundation’s annual international donation programme.
The funding will support pupils at Yearsley Grove and Fishergate primary schools, helping to tackle food insecurity and support learning.
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s executive member for education, children and young people, and chair of the York Hungry Minds steering group, said: "This is fantastic news and the incredibly generous donation will provide thousands more free breakfasts to our primary school children over the next three years.
"Local and national evidence shows the positive impact free school breakfasts and lunches have on pupils’ attendance, learning and behaviour.
"Through our work and the generous donations of people and organisations across the city, we’re helping ensure that York’s primary school children have a great, healthy start to their school lives.
"I’d like to extend my huge thanks to Stockpaert for their support.
"The York Hungry Minds campaign is going from strength to strength and really is helping to change children’s lives."
The York Hungry Minds campaign forms part of City of York Council’s wider ‘One City for all’ plan, which prioritises health and wellbeing from early childhood.
The programme aims to address the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, recognising that good nutrition improves attendance, concentration and learning, as well as their physical and mental wellbeing.
The donation was made during a recent visit by Stockpaert members to York.
John Reinerie, chairman of the Lustrum Committee at Stockpaert, said: "Last year we arranged our 11th trip outside our country, this time to York, meeting Mayor David Skaith for the first time.
"We were able to discuss ideas for which good cause, as part of our Rotterdam student club’s 55th anniversary, we could donate to.
"It was therefore a pleasure to arrange an evening with Mayor Skaith and council leader Cllr Claire Douglas to confirm our £55,000 donation from our Trekpaert Charity Foundation to York Hungry Minds.
"We enjoyed a fantastic evening with speeches from David and Claire, and having heard much more about York Hungry Minds, our members were extremely proud of the choice Trekpaert made and could see the benefits of their donation."
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: "No child should be sitting in a classroom distracted by an empty stomach.
"When children are well-nourished, they can focus on their learning and reach their full potential.
"I want to thank Stockpaert for taking the time to meet with me and for this generous donation, which will provide more than 21,000 free breakfasts."