Burgess Hill rises to challenge of helping feed children during half term

The issue has been receiving national attention ever since a Labour motion calling on the voucher scheme to be extended into the holidays was defeated last week.

Thanks to the support of volunteers and both The Tasty Crust and Mabel’s Emporium, lunch bags can be collected from the Rider Hall entrance at St Andrew’s Church in Cants Lane from 11.30am-1.30pm this week.

Burgess Hill mum-of-two Dyanne has been helping to organise and was spurred on to do something after the government voted down providing free school meals this half term.

She said: “It’s amazing business have been able to put something together last minute at a time when businesses are struggling. It’s quite overwhelming.”

She also urged the government to rethink its position by the Christmas holiday.

Leisa, from the Tasty Crust, said: “Everyone has been having such a tough time due to this pandemic and sometimes it’s the poor children that suffer the most

“We operated all throughout lockdown and were fully supported by our local community so we wanted to give something back to our local community it’s just so easy to be kind and this is just a small way to say thank you.”

Heather, from Mabel’s Emporium, added: “We think of ourselves as one big ‘Mabel’s Family’ business whose main aim is to support our local micro-businesses and community by bringing people together in a friendly and welcoming environment. ‘Business in the heart of the community’ is our ethos.

“We often host and support local charity events and being a mum myself, I jumped at the opportunity to help the community. It has all been made possible thanks to Dyanne, she is a superstar.”

Mid Sussex Labour is supporting the No Child Hungry initiative and is offering free packed lunches and some non-perishable items this week, between 12 and 1 pm at its offices at 15 Junction Road. Just turn up and ask for how many lunches you need.

Munchies in Valebridge Road is also offering to supply packed lunches for children that quality for free school meals.

These can be collected from 9am-2pm every day, and according to a post on Facebook, people simply need to give them a call on 01444 235015 and they will have lunches ready to pick up.

Meanwhile the Home Coffee House at the Kings Centre in Victoria Road is offering free hot jacket potatoes and fillings for any child who usually receives free school meals and a coffee for their parents between 2-4pm this week.

Their Facebook post says: “Just pop into HOME and say ‘half-term’ to one of our Coffee House staff and we’ll not charge you. Must be accompanied by an adult.”

Sam Marson, Home Coffee House manager, said: “We wanted to play our part in responding to the Government’s decision not to extend free school meals into the half-term holiday. From Monday to Friday we are offering jacket potatoes with fillings from 2pm to 4pm. As a church we want to do all that we can to support individuals and families in practical ways throughout this pandemic.”

Burgess Hill Town Football Club will be offering school lunches on Friday (October 30) between 12-2pm at its Hillians Bar.

Are there any other places in Burgess Hill or elsewhere in Mid Sussex also offering free food for children this half term? Email us at the newsdesk.