Ribble Valley businesses and communities race to the rescue and feed hungry children

The Manchester United and England striker’s campaign to end child food poverty calls for an extension of free school meals to 1.4 million more UK children, an increase in the value of Healthy Start fresh fruit and vegetable vouchers for pregnant women on low incomes, and an expansion of charity-led holiday hunger schemes.

However, last Wednesday MPs voted against the Labour motion to offer free school meals during holidays until Easter 2021 by 322 votes to 261.

Since then, cafes, restaurants and local organisations across the Ribble Valley have promised to feed children in the school holidays, despite the industry struggling to survive coronavirus restrictions.

Jane Chitnis, Ribble Valley Foodbank Manager, said while volunteers are working hard to keep people fed, there is also a focus on difficult times which may be ahead. She explained: "We have had very generous harvest donations this year, despite the difficulties, and we have also had several local businesses contact us to say that they are offering help to families over half term.

"August was very busy for us, then things quietened down in September, but numbers are going up again now and we have served twice as many people this October as we did last year.

"We are anticipating this being a tough winter and are glad that people are still managing to donate food so generously."

Businesses that have pledged to help with meals for local children are:

Bambinos Boutique Daycare, in Garnett Road, Clitheroe have been busy preparing and delivering hot/cold meals for children in need and who normally access free school meals and who are currently struggling financially within Clitheroe and the surrounding areas. For more details, message Tami on 07525452723 or Matt on 07714829505. Government guidelines for social distancing will be followed.

Mark Wilkinson, of Clitheroe Wolves Football Club, is offering free meals to youngsters - before or after a match - over the weekends. He can be contacted via Facebook/messenger

Madi Stosie, who runs The Parker's Arms in Newton-in-Bowland, has been making packed meals for children missing out on free school meals. Any affected families or children in the Ribble Valley are asked to get in touch by e-mailing [email protected]Holiday Hunger East Lancashire - an organisation feeding as many children as possible in East Lancashire.

Meanwhile, all children will eat free in the school holidays and on Saturdays at The Secret Garden Cafe, in New Market Street, Clitheroe. A cafe spokesman said: "We are happy to be offering 50% off your food bill during half-term. If, however, you would like to pay the full price, we will donate the remaining 50% to the Ribble Valley Foodbank, which helps local people in crisis.

"We’re also working with the foodbank to offer readymade up lunch bags to those in need in the hope that these small, but heartfelt gestures, will help the foodbank with their fight to combat poverty and hunger locally and across the UK.

"Remember that all kids eat free during the school holidays and on Saturdays."