A primary school in Co Tyrone is easing the financial burden on families this January by offering hot meals free of charge for every child at lunchtime.
Primate Dixon in Coalisland is providing the hot meals every day for the rest of the month, saving some families up to £125.
The school reopened following the Christmas break on Monday, and principal Sean Dillon said it was the least the school could do to help families through the difficult winter period.
“We’re very conscious of the situation that so many people are facing at the minute between the rocketing cost of heating and electricity, food prices and everything else,” Sean told MyTyrone.
“A lot of people would have emptied themselves financially out at Christmas as well.
“Every year the families of the school community here give the most brilliant support to the 570 girls and boys of Primate Dixon.
“We have a chance to pay some of that back to people and that’s what we’re doing with Primate Dixon covering the cost of all January school dinners.
The primary school principal added that January hot meals come in addition to free fruit and toast which has been provided to pupils throughout the winter.
Sean also especially paid tribute to the school’s kitchen team and acknowledged the Education Authority's School Meals Service for their support.
He added: “January Hot Meals For All also supports the school’s policy that all activities that take place inside Primate Dixon are always free of charge.
“This is an opportunity for us to do something which we hope makes a difference for families at home.
“For a parent who’s paying for school dinners for three children, it will save them £125 over the next couple of weeks.
“That makes a big difference when people have been spending so much over Christmas.
“Many people will have been paid before Christmas and it will be the best part of six weeks before they see money coming into homes again.
“If we are able to help out in some way that’s what we want to do.”
