Blackpool community vows to let no child go hungry this half term

After the Government voted not to extend the free school meals scheme to the country's most vulnerable youngsters, local people have stepped up to offer hearty lunch boxes this half term.

Dozens of restaurants and cafes have offered their services, as well as outreach groups such as Blackpool Food Bank.

Food Bank chairman Neil Reid said: “We started the Food Bank in February 2012 because of my concern over almost 9,000 children in Blackpool at the time living below the poverty line, but we could not have foreseen this situation.

"We are living in unprecedented times. Children going hungry and good parents, trying to provide for their families, whilst their job, their income and their prospects collapse all around them with reducing options in the short term for them to dig themselves out of the hole. We simply must help these people."

Sue Seddon of the Curiositea @ 23 cafe in Layton is among many local business owners preparing meals to be picked up by children in need this week.

All children who go to the cafe with an adult between 10am and noon this week will get a free meal.

Sue said: "We have always support our local community. We give out free meals and food parcels regularly. This was something that we felt we should do as a little bit extra. We have had so much support from quite a number of people/ Two customers have donated enough items so that we can feed over 400 children just this week. We have had a donation of food packaging from a local church.

"Today, we have given out 87 free meals."

Martin Heywood, of the Viva Vegas Diner, which is also offering free dine-in meals for children who qualify for free school dinners this week, said: "I think as a business we should do our bit. We can see that people are struggling and we are happy to put ourselves forward. I grew up in a household with a single parent and had to depend on free school dinners when I was a kid, and I know from my mum's perspective that was something that helped her a great deal."

Members of Blackpool Council have also stepped up. Couns Jim Hobson and Graham Cain have promised to hand out free sandwiches, fruit, biscuits and drinks from Ibbision Court Community Centre on Central Drive from noon until 1pm throughout the half term holidays.

Coun Hobson said: "There are a lot of poor families in our ward and with all the hardships families are facing just trying to make it through the holiday period we thought it would be an appropriate thing to do. We had a bit of ward money left and thought what better way to spend it than on the children?"

FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER BRINGS IN 4K

Former Labour party candidate Chris Webb set up an online fundraiser to provide food parcels after Ministers decided not to fund the free meals campaign, championed byMan U striker Marcus Rashford.

He said: “The generosity of the community has blown me away. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this could reach £12,000 in just over four days. I’m so proud of my home town. We’ve come together to ensure no child goes hungry this half-term and I want to thank everyone who’s donated from the bottom of my heart."

KINDNESS EXTENDS ACROSS THE FYLDE COAST

It's not just members of Blackpool's community who have agreed to provide food to needy children.

Children who are members of St Annes Football Club can pick up free packed lunches from the club's cafe every day this week from noon until 2pm.

Nicola Robinson, the social secretary, said: "In this day and age no child should be going hungry! It is with this in mind and recent news surrounding support for free school meals during school holidays that St Annes Football Club have put together a plan.

"There will be no questions asked, players and families can turn up at the cafe without fear of judgement or rejection and nobody will be turned away."