BLACKBURN Foodbank is leading the way in easing the burden on struggling families during the summer holidays.

The centre, which is based in Oakenhurst Road, has stepped in to help parents who relied on their children being given free school meals during the week.

Through providing meals three times a week and hosting cooking demonstrations and sessions on how to budget the foodbank is hoping to support families until school starts again in September.

The sessions, which started last week, are being filled by families who have been referred to the food bank by nearby schools.

Ros Duerden, who founded and manages the food bank, said: “This is a response for parents who are struggling to feed their children during the summer holidays.

“This is a growing problem and with the changes to the benefits system it could well get worse.

“We are expecting to feed around 27 families this year, as we did in 2014, but it could be more as the holidays go on.

“The holidays are supposed to be a time when people can relax but if you are a parent the last thing that you want is to spend that time worrying how to feed your children.

“This type of scheme is vital and if there was not a problem then schools would not provide breakfast clubs and free school meals during term time.

“I would like to see more done on this issue as people do not realise how much pressure the holidays put on parents.

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“Maybe one school in an area should be opened up three times a week to provide lunch clubs to help ease the burden.”

The foodbank is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 2pm and has around 80 volunteers.

Ruth Haldane, who runs the Ribble Valley Foodbank, said: “St James’ Church in Clitheroe is open for a free lunch once a week to help support struggling families in the Ribble Valley and cooking demonstrations should start in the autumn .”

For more information call Blackburn Foodbank on 01254 672756.