A FOOD firm is donating large amounts of its rice to a national project which aims to help feed hungry children during the school holidays.

Surya Foods, in Parkeston, is getting on board with the Holiday Hunger project by food waste redistribution charity Fareshare.

The project follows a Government report last year which revealed up to three million children are at risk of going hungry during their holidays.

To combat the issue of Holiday Hunger, FareShare is working with over 200 holiday hunger projects this summer, to provide meals for about 20,000 children and families across the UK.

Harry Dulai, Surya Foods managing director said the summer holidays should be a time of excitement and adventure for children, however, this is sadly not true for many UK families.

He said: “During the school holidays the safety net which supports children eligible for free school meals falls away, leaving thousands of children vulnerable to serious hunger with some even returning to school in September malnourished, tired and struggling to learn.

“This is simply not acceptable.”

A Fareshare spokesman said: “The projects we are supporting offer food and fun activities to ensure that children can enjoy their summer holidays on a full stomach and return to school happy and healthy.”