FROM taking youngsters to visit care homes, projects for Roma children and theatre shows - Glasgow groups have stepped up in creative ways to help feed city children.

A call went out from Glasgow City Council offering funding to local groups to take part in a holiday hunger scheme to ensure no child goes without food.

Now 90 have stepped forward - but council bosses are hoping 10 more will apply before the deadline tomorrow.

Councillor Allan Gow, City Treasurer, Glasgow City Council said: “I’m delighted to hear about all the great summer holiday programmes and projects that are running across the city and have been successful in securing a grant from the council in a bid to end holiday hunger.

“With the £2 million that I announced as part of the city administrations budget in February we are able to support a variety of different initiatives who are welcoming hundreds of our children a day and offering them the chance to take part in numerous activities, enjoy day trips and served a healthy meal as well.

“Organisations and existing provision still have the opportunity to apply for a grant to help us in our quest to introduce a universal food provision available in every community of Glasgow as the fund application deadline has been extended to close of play this Friday, July 20.”

Among those already on board, Victory Christian Centre will children to a care home as part of an intergenerational programme.

The Children’s Wood will support children who are known to the police.

Crossreach will be supporting the Roma community.

And Toonspeak, a theatre company based in Barmulloch, is working with around 50 young people to support them to create a theatre performance based on their own experiences.

The show, called TELT, will be on at The Tron on August 3 and 4.

Paula Morgan, the Programme Producer for Toonspeak, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive this funding from the Voluntary Action Fund.

“It is a fantastic initiative. Each summer Toonspeak produces a show with our participants which is our main event of the year.

“This year is our biggest to date and we are working in association with Mark Murphy and Tron Theatre.

“Over 50 young people from Glasgow are involved, not only writing and performing but also running the production backstage, mentored by top industry professionals.”

Money from the council’s Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) has allowed Toonspeak to cover catering costs during the development of TELT.

Paula added: “This fund has enabled us to provide healthy meals for everyone while they are making this show.

“The fund has also funded a two-week programme of activities for kids in the area that we are based, Barmulloch.

“Every day has had something new for the young people to enjoy - from taiko drumming to circus, from recording your own music to making your own slime and of course drama workshops.

“Toonspeak have a holistic approach, so being able to offer everyone healthy food while doing these activities was really great - now we have engaged them at a young age we hope these kids will be the new generation of Toonspeak attendees who will be the future stars of our summer show.”

To find out more and apply for funding see www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/funding-and-support/glasgow-children-s-summer-food-programme/