Traders offer free meals
Businesses have stepped up to offer free meals to hungry children after the Government voted against plans for food vouchers during half-term.
Compassionate business owners throughout the city have gone above and beyond to ensure disadvantaged children do not go hungry over half-term.
Pubs and cafés stepped in to feed struggling families over after the Government voted against providing free school meal vouchers during the holiday.
The Hole in the Wall in St Martin’s Street has been offering free meals to anyone in need of support in feeding their children.
The Eastgate in The Hornet has also been offering healthy packed lunches this week and said there had been a ‘great response’.
Landlady Catherine Morgan said: “We couldn’t believe it when the government decided not to continue with it – half term is only a week.
“We thought, we have always been supported by
our customers, it’s lovely. We have had some great responses from people.”
A number of cafés have also taken part in the campaign, including Fenwick’s in Priory Park and Crispins Café in East
Street, which is also raising money for foodbank charity The Trussel Trust.
Owner of Crispins in East Street, Jo Newman said: “After seeing the UK Government’s vote this week, our hearts
broke at the thought of people struggling and worrying about how to feed their children.
“We have children and grandchildren of our own so the thought of any child going hungry really upset us.
“We wanted to help so thought this was a way of giving back and have been overwhelmed by the Chichester community all pulling together.
“This year has been hard for everyone, us included, so we have to stick together.”
The campaign began after a motion by Labour calling for the extension of free school meal vouchers into the holidays until Easter 2021 for families in receipt of Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit.
Chichester MP Gillian Keegan, Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith and Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb all voted down the motion.
Manchester United Footballer Marcus Rashford backed the campaign and posted locations offering food.
Jeanette Hockley, operations manager of Chichester BID, commented: “We are so proud of the many local independent eateries who are offering to help struggling families this half term, despite the challenging times they are facing themselves.
“It reminds us how lucky we are to live and work in such a wonderful and supportive community.”
Lisa Maher Evans, 35, who lives with her partner and four children in Lavant, is looking for funds to allow her to provide struggling families with free meals more permanently.
She said: “Like other families, we’ve beenstruggling to make ends meet and there’s been a lot of juggling. After the government voted against free school meals, I thought enough is enough.
“It’s time to work together and feed ourselves. Spread love not war.
“We are going through a pandemic. If we can’t pull together now, we never will.”
To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/mealsareus