Angie's Angels and Rochdale Homelessness Network redistribute half term lunches

Date published: 03 November 2020

Thousands of lunches and hot meals made by volunteers for children over half term have been redistributed amongst the homeless by Angie’s Angels and the Rochdale Homelessness Network.

Numerous community groups and businesses rallied together for fear that children who usually receive free school meals would go hungry over the half term period, after the government voted not to extend its free school meal voucher scheme implemented over the summer holidays.

For the first time ever this year due to the pandemic, the government funded vouchers for those eligible for free school meals over the summer holidays to support children from disadvantaged families.
 

Read more: MPs divided on votes for extending free school meals over holidaysPublished: 24 October 2020

Amongst those involved, were Nutters Restaurant, who made and distributed 5,000 lunch packs from the Empire Rochdale, plus Chino’s Kitchen and The Green Door, which also created a number of lunch packs for distribution in Wardle and Kirkholt, as well as collection from Reuse Littleborough.

On hand to help deliver were the Brass Knuckle Riders motorbike group, whilst supermarket Morrisons also provided pre-made lunch packs and donations for family food boxes. Over one hundred food boxes have been given out each week since April by Angie’s Angels and the Homelessness Network.

Volunteer John Shaw, who co-ordinated a number of local efforts and helped redistribute the food so it wouldn’t go to waste, estimates around 6,000 lunch packs were provided in total.

He said: “Following the government’s decision not to support children over half term, I asked the community to support an effort to provide lunch for any child in need. I had amazing support from Chino’s Kitchen, the Green Door and Nutters. Between us, we managed to provide around 6,000 lunch packs. Going forward, we hope the government will provide the funding required but if not, we are already planning a more targeted and focused delivery to areas of food poverty across the borough along with pick up points like Reuse Littleborough.

John added: “I feel blessed to know so many kind and generous souls. Taking on the lunch packs pushed us all to the limit but seeing happy kids with full stomachs is worth it. Thank you to everyone who helped in some way.”

A representative from Rochdale Youth Service said: “We gave out packed lunches to all the young people who attended our sessions across the borough and delivered lunches to others who couldn't attend, just so they didn’t miss out.”

Nabeela Malik Awan, of Chino’s Kitchen in Wardle, said: “Being a single parent, and once being homeless without any family support over the years, being part of the Littleborough and Wardle community, I felt it important to give back [to the community].

“After seeing the important work John Shaw has done over the years, I wanted to be part of it, especially during these difficult times.”