Businesses in Warwick district rally to provide free meals to children

Following the Government vote last week not to extend free school meals for children in England over the half-term holiday has prompted businesses to support their community.

Many businesses across England have stepped up to help children this half term, including ones in the Warwick district.

Pubs, cafes, churches and organisations are offering meals.

Some groups and organisations such as churches and MakeLunch Warwick have been offering this service throughout lockdown and beyond.

The Drawing Board, which is in Newbold Street in Leamington, is just one of them.

Frankie Griffiths from The Drawing Board in Leamington, said: "Following the vote by the Government last week we wanted to offer the children of our community free school meals during half term to support any families that might be in need.

"Everyday between 11am to 1pm they’re available from the pub for collection or via delivery.

"We’ve received lots of offers of support so far from local companies like Freestyle Interactive and Greybridge Roles and donations from some of our suppliers like Inn Express Drinks and Highams Butchers.

"Other local business owners like Sam from Coffee Architects has kindly offered to bake some traybakes for the lunches later in the week."

The team at the pub are now trying to find families in need.

Frankie said: "The main issue is finding the families that are in need.

"So far we’ve not had any takers but as of tomorrow and the launch of our delivery service we already have a few families that we’ll be visiting for the rest of the week.

"The wonderful staff of the Drawing Board are not only baking fairy cakes but they’re volunteering their services as delivery drivers."

To request a meal go to https://forms.gle/TDS41KrZ2GpHFHye or email: freeschoolmealsleam@gmail.com

Many other businesses across the district have also started offering free meals.

Games developer Playground Games has partnered with The Old Coffee Tavern in Warwick and Mr Spuds in Leamington to give away free lunches to children eligible for free school meals.

The Old Coffee Tavern will be offering 150 packed lunches per day and Mr Spuds will be offering 100 jacket potatoes.

Ralph Fulton, game director at Playground Games – XBOX Game Studio, said: "We're proud to partner with two great local businesses to support our local community.

"Marcus Rashford's campaign has been inspirational and we stand with him in the belief that no child should go hungry."

Parents should text 07403 722561 to order lunches from The Old Coffee Tavern and can pick the jacket potatoes up from Mr Spud directly on The Parade in Leamington.

The Warwick and Leamington Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group on Facebook has started a post where people can share the businesses offering food.

Several have been named including Deli on the Hill in Kenilworth, Enchanted Tea Room in Leamington and Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth.

A website has also been set up where businesses can register that they are offering free meals to children.

To look for ones registered so far in your postcode area go to: https://helpoutwhenschoolsout.co.uk/To follow the Warwick and Leamington Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group post thread go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/warwickleamingtoncovidhelp/permalink/347817906472631/