Washington church offering free meals to pupils to ensure no child goes hungry after schools forced to close

Workers and volunteers at St George’s Church, in Fatfield, are working with the Washington Community Food Project to offer the free meals at a time when many children may struggle during the school closures.

The church has undertaken a COVID risk assessment prior to offering the takeaway service and has encouraged only local school children to take up the offer as not to break coronavirus travelling rules.

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Starting this Tuesday January 5, the church has promised to keep the scheme going as long as necessary while children in the area remain out of school.

Nick Barr-Hamilton, the vicar at St George’s said: “ A lot of local children are affected by these closures and have no other options. We always try to serve people in need, it’s at the heart of the gospel. It’s important everyone try to support each other in times like these.”

The church decided to offer the meals before the announcement of the third national lockdown, but the latest developments have not deterred their plans.

Nick added: “We have checked guidance and providing food for people in need can still continue under lockdown. We have a COVID risk assessment in place and ask people not to gather or congregate together. Collection is outside the church.”

Last year, St George’s Church worked to digitise 3000 burial records in order to encourage people to reconnect with their ancestors.

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