THE Welcome Cafe in Knutsford will be delivering food hampers to 130 children and their families during the school holidays.

Funding from Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) will enable the charity to deliver food directly to families' doors to help reduce hardship and holiday hunger.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the number of families who struggled to feed their children while home-schooling, and the growing need for universal support was recognised.

Even before the lockdown, holiday hunger was something which communities were increasingly aware of, and The Welcome Cafe and Hope Central Foodbank will work together to ease some of these pressures.

The funding from the commissioner will be used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables to accompany non-perishable items donated by the foodbank.

The Welcome, based on the Longridge Estate, has for many years been at the heart of the community, providing a wide range of services and support to residents.

The group has stepped in to support countless vulnerable people since the pandemic hit and they plan to extend that support through this project.

Policing teams will continue to offer support to The Welcome Cafe and help them to make deliveries where possible.

PCC David Keane said: "This funding will enable families struggling financially to ensure their children can stay healthy and well during the holiday periods without adding to the hardship they may be facing.

"If the national lockdown has shown us anything, it’s that communities have come together to support one another and ensure everyone feels that they can reach out for help.

"I’m pleased to be able to provide grant support through my Community Police Fund to help our families stay healthy and well."