Businesses step up for food campaign
WEST Lancashire’s community spirit shone through as businesses and volunteers stepped forward to provide free meals to hungry children.
Takeaways, cafes and community groups were among those to come forward to ensure that children who normally receive free school meals would be fed during the half term week off.
The campaign to provide the free meals has been led by Marcus Rashford, the England and Manchester United footballer who has spoke passionately about how he and his family relied on the kindness and support of others as he grew up.
Normally free school meal vouchers are not provided out of term time but Mr Rashford had successfully pressured the Government into continuing to provide vouchers throughout the summer holidays to counteract the huge losses families have endured as a result of the Covid19 outbreak.
Hundreds of Conservative MPs voted against the proposal to continue that offer throughout half-term so kind-hearted business owners and community leaders came forward to take on responsibility for ensuring that children did not go hungry.
Among those providing meals to those in need, the Fat Italian, which has restaurants in Ormskirk, Burscough and Crosby, offered free takeaway children’s meals all week.
Fylde Fish and Chips, based at Burscough’s Ringtail Retail Park, also offered free lunches to children between Wednesday and Friday, while Banks Chippy gave free kids’ meals between Tuesday and Saturday and The Chippy Pizza and Grill in Birch Green offered the same until Sunday.
Explaining the offer on Facebook, the owners of Skelmersdale takeaway said: “After our disgraceful government voted against kids having school meals for free during half term we have decided to contribute ourselves to help the parents who are struggling with their income during these difficult times, please bring your children here and we will provide a free meal for the kids.
“There is no shame in asking for help so please just come in and ask for a school meal. Please don’t have your kids going to bed hungry.”
Elsewhere, the Edge cafe in Ormskirk town centre extended its existing fund for feeding the homeless to anyone who couldn’t afford a meal. That offer will run as long as the small business can afford to keep it running, with those in need simply having to ask for a “caring” drink or meal with no questions asked.
Another small business, Burscough Cake Company, chipped in by providing cookies to the food bank at Ennerdale and Fylde Fish and Chips. Two Cents Pizza, at Burscough Street in Ormskirk, opened its doors to be used as a collection point for foodbanks across the borough.
Meanwhile, Edge Hill University offered catering supplies for schools distributing meals and Spencer Clarke Recruitment provided 100 meals to be given to Acorn School in Ormskirk.
Brooke’s Bistro, a coffee shop based at Brookside Retirement Living in Aughton, distributed packed lunches, as did Bill’s Garage, located at a petrol station on Ormskirk Road, Skelmersdale.
One of the biggest donors was the Birchwood Centre charity in Skelmersdale. The charity helps vulnerable people all year round and, last Monday alone, gave out 150 packed lunches, hot meals and essential hampers to those in need.
Based at Birch Green, the centre provides help and support for vulnerable people at critical points in their lives.
It aims to tackle homelessness and social isolation and, over the years, services have expanded to include counselling, mediation, therapeutic accommodation, employment support and training.
It also runs the Junk Food Cafe which provided affordable meals for those in need.
The centre was among the first to offer support after the government vote and volunteer David Scott said: “After that disappointing news we stand shoulder to shoulder with Marcus Rashford to end child food poverty.
“We’ll continue to do what we’re doing and feed the children up and down Skem.”