Packed lunch scheme provides 1,000 meals to children in need

A packed lunch scheme provided more than 1,000 free meals for young children during the summer holiday to support vulnerable families in the community following the coronavirus crisis.
Clive and Maureen Bowman with Helen Boxall from the Galleries (centre)Clive and Maureen Bowman with Helen Boxall from the Galleries (centre)
Clive and Maureen Bowman with Helen Boxall from the Galleries (centre)

The scheme, launched by Washington Community Food Project (WCFP), offered free meals during the school holidays for nursery and primary school children, and provided 1,007 free meals to struggling families over the course of the break.

Organisers at WCFP were keen to ensure no struggling families were left behind in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and that no child went left unfed over the six weeks break.

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The scheme, while aimed at nursery and primary school children, was open to all with no specific requirements needed as Washington Community Food Project vowed not to turn away anyone in need.

They said: “We are really pleased with how it went, and feel lucky to have met some old and new faces alike. After such a success we will look forward to launching similar schemes in the future.”.

Overall, the project cost around £1000 and was made possible with the help of local schools and churches in the area.

Secretary of WCFP, Maureen Bowman said: “It’s absolutely fantastic the amount of support and help we get from the public. Local churches and schools have been really helpful in making this scheme possible.”

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