Feeding Hungry Children

This sign has appeared in Cusop - picture shared on Facebook by Sean O'Donoghue.

There's been a lot of anger in the last few days about the vote in Parliament in which Tory MPs voted to allow children to go hungry over half-term by refusing to continue free school meals for them.  

Our MP, Fay Jones, was one of those 322 MPs.  However, there is a statement on her website saying that this is not what she voted for and she is working to find long term solutions to support those most in need.

The wording of the Opposition Motion is pretty clear on what the vote was about though: "That this House calls on the Government to continue directly funding provision of free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021 to prevent over a million children going hungry during this crisis."

As the handwritten sign above makes clear, the voucher scheme for free school meals is continuing in Wales, and all over England charities and small businesses and councils are working to ensure that children do not go hungry. 

(They shouldn't have to do this.  It should be the responsibility of the State).

In Hay, good people have stepped forward to help, too:

The Three Tuns are offering free children's meals over half term.  These have to be pre-ordered, because of lockdown, to take away.  They are not enquiring about people's individual circumstances, but offering this for all children's meals.

Hay Takeaway (the chip shop) are also offering free children's meals from Tuesday 27th to Saturday 31st for anyone who asks for them.

Also ready to help are Trudy Stedman (Mayor of Hay), Gareth Ratcliffe and Fiona Howard, who are the community support co-ordinators.

There is also the food bank at the British Legion run by Kelvyn Jenkins, who is also exploring the idea of a cooked meal service for people who need it.