Council Chair impressed by Schools Food Project at Arvalee School and Resource Centre

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson recently visited Arvalee School & Resource Centre, at the Strule Campus in Omagh, to view their very successful School’s Food Project, which was set up through funding provided by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Using funding allocated through The Department For Communities ‘Food and Essential items transition fund’, the Council is working in conjunction with the food re-distribution charity, FareShare NI, to provide free food for pupils at 18 primary and post-primary schools across the district. These schools were selected based on their percentage of free school meals entitlement.

Speaking about the initiative, Councillor Thompson said;

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to working in partnership with other stakeholders to improve the quality of lives of the people of the district. This initiative, between the Council, FareShare NI and schools like Arvalee School and Resource Centre, is helping to alleviate the significant pressures on some families at a time when the cost of living is increasing rapidly.

I commend Mr Treacy and the staff here at Arvalee School and Resource Centre for their commitment to the FareShare initiative. They are making a real difference to the lives of so many children particularly at this very difficult and challenging time. We are indebted to them for their participation in the scheme.”

Each school has been awarded £1,500 worth of credit with FareShare to access food, with a total of £27,000 having been provided through the Department For Communities fund.

School Principal Jonathan Gray commented on the positive impacts from this project:

“Arvalee School is delighted to be involved in supporting the local school community through this initiative. A team of students put the food bags together for distribution to those most in need of support at this difficult and challenging time”. Mr Gray went on to say; “It is great to support this important council initiative for the community and to see the positive benefit for our young people that comes from helping others in need.”

For further information on the FareShare NI initiative, please contact Community Support at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council by telephone on 0300 303 1777 or by email at communitysupport@fermanaghomagh.com.